Medical supplies cabinet

ABSTRACT

A medical supplies cabinet is disclosed. The cabinet comprises a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there is provided at least one medical supplies receptacle. The receptacle(s) is/are of a shape and configuration to be able to at least partly receive and hold at least one medical item. A sensor is associated with the receptacle(s). The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the presence and/or absence, or removal of the medical item in/from the receptacle.

PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371from International Application No. PCT/IB2018/057530, filed on 28 Sep.2018, and published as WO2019/064244 on 4 Apr. 2019, which claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 to New Zealand Application No. 735981, filedon 29 Sep. 2017, and to New Zealand Application No. 743404, filed on 12Jun. 2018, the benefit of priority of each of which is claimed herein,and which applications and publication are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a medical supplies cabinet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medical supplies containers are often found at business premises andprovide staff at a business, access to certain medical supplies that maybe required during an incident that may require first aid assistance. Ina very basic form a medical supplies container may exist in a drawer ofa kitchen cabinet. A container may include bandages, plasters,antiseptic cream and potentially tools such as tweezers and scissors.Such containers are often poorly stocked and maintained. If stock hasn'trun out, it can still be difficult to find medical supplies within sucha container. People responsible for maintaining the first aid containerof such kind will often monitor stock levels and may spend additionaltime attending to the tidiness of the container.

An example of an improved first aid cabinet is described inWO2016/181352. This cabinet provides a substantial improvement over thefirst aid container as described above.

However, there are still substantial improvements to be made in thefunction of such a cabinet. Often a restocking of the cabinet may resultin the wrong items being located in the wrong location of a cabinet.Since the load cells described in WO2016/181352 are likely to beprogrammed for sensing specific items such as plasters, for example, theplacement of the wrong item such as a bandage on the same load cell canresult in incorrect functioning of the system. One solution may be toprovide receptacles of a shape that can only receive a correspondinglyshaped item. For example, scissors have a particular outline for which areceptacle can be included in the cabinet to be able to snugly receivescissors. However, many medical supplies are of a fairly generic shapeor are provided in a box. Therefore, in particular for large receptaclesso provided, many other smaller format medical supplies can beincorrectly received. This can result in problematic reading of thestock levels and consumption of medical supplies from the cabinet. InWO2016/181352 the monitoring of consumption and stock levels is done bythe use of load cells. However, it has been found that load cells ontheir own may not give an accurate indication of the interaction withthe medical supplies cabinet as items of a particular kind may not allbe of a consistent weight. Another disadvantage of load cells is thecost of load cells, particularly due to the additional mechanical designelements needed to isolate the load cells to prevent false readings orother issues.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideimprovements over existing medical supplies cabinets that addresses theabovementioned disadvantages and/or to at least provide the public witha useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention may be said to be a medicalsupplies cabinet comprising:

a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided at least one medical supplies receptacle, the receptacle(s)being of a shape and configuration to be able to at least partly receiveand hold at least one medical item,

a sensor associated with a or each receptacle, the sensor configured togenerate a signal indicative of the presence and/or absence or removalof the medical item in/from the receptacle.

In one configuration, there are a plurality of discrete medical suppliesreceptacles, at least two of said plurality of receptacles being of ashape to receive different said medical items.

In one configuration, there are a plurality of discrete medical suppliesreceptacles, at least two of said plurality of receptacles being of ashape to receive different said medical items.

In one configuration, a capacitive sensor including a pair of sensingelement, is provided for at least one of said receptacles, thecapacitive sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of thepresence of the medical item within the receptacle.

In one configuration, the capacitive sensor is configured to generate asignal indicative of the presence of the medical item within thereceptacle based on at least one of:

-   -   i. the dielectric value and/or change of the dielectric value of        the medical item(s) sensed by the capacitive sensor, and/or    -   ii. the relative position and/or a change in the relative        position of the pair of sensing elements of the capacitive        sensor.

In one configuration, a capacitive sensor including a pair of sensingelement is provided for at least two of said receptacles.

In one configuration, the at least one medical item is a packagedmedical item and preferably a plurality of medical items are provided inthe package.

In one configuration, the receptacles are removable from the housing.

In one configuration, the capacitive sensor comprises a pair of sensingelements that are spaced apart from each other.

In one configuration, the pair of sensing elements are planar and areparallel, spaced and non-coplanar to each other a said medical item tobe received between the pair.

In one configuration, the pair of sensing elements are planar and areparallel, spaced and coplanar to each other a said medical item to bereceived across the pair.

In one configuration, the pair of sensing elements are a pair ofelectrically conductive elements.

In one configuration, the capacitive sensor is configured to sense theaddition or removal of a medical item to and from the receptacle.

In one configuration, the signal indicative of the presence of themedical item at a receptacle is proportional to the capacitance value ofthe capacitive sensor or a change in the capacitance of the capacitivesensor.

In one configuration, addition or removal of a medical item from betweenthe two sensing elements changes the capacitance value of the capacitivesensor by changing the dielectric value of the capacitive sensor.

In one configuration, a change in the relative position of the sensingelements results in a change in capacitance value of the capacitivesensor, the signal generated by the capacitive sensor being proportionalto the change in the capacitance value.

In one configuration, the change in capacitance value of the capacitivesensor is proportional to the presence or absence of the medical item atthe receptacle.

In one configuration, a least one receptacle is shaped and configured toreceive a at least one of a said medical item or a package including aplurality of the medical items, where said item(s) are able to beindividually removed from and/or added to the receptacle or package atthe receptacle, the sensor being associated with the receptacle andconfigured to provide a signal indicative of one or more of:

-   -   a) size of package,    -   b) number of medical items in the package or number of items in        the receptacle,    -   c) number of medical items removed from or added to the package,    -   d) medical item(s) removed from or added to the receptacle, and    -   e) an orientation of item(s) in the receptacle.

In one configuration, a least one receptacle is shaped and configured toreceive a plurality of the same medical items or a package including aplurality of the medical items, where said items are able to beindividually removed from and/or added to the receptacle or package atthe receptacle, the sensor being associated with the receptacle andconfigured to provide a signal indicative of one or more of:

-   -   a) size of package,    -   b) number of medical items in the package or number of items in        the receptacle,    -   c) number of medical items removed from or added to the package,    -   d) number of medical items removed from or added to the        receptacle, and    -   e) an orientation of items in the receptacle.

In one configuration, the medical supplies cabinet further comprises:

a door, the door pivotably connected the housing and the door beingmoveable between an open position corresponding to the medical suppliesstorage zone being exposed for interaction by a user and a closedposition where the door covers the medical supplies storage zone therebypreventing interaction by a user.

In one configuration, the housing includes a camera to make a recordingof the view facing away from the medical supplies storage zone of thecabinet, the door includes a mirror that is located to reflect a view ofat least part of the medical supplies storage zone to the camera whenthe door is near its closed position such that the camera can make arecording of the medical supplies storage zone when the door is near itsclosed position.

In one configuration, a capacitive sensor is associated with the doorand configured to generate a signal indicative of the position of thedoor.

In one configuration, the first sensing element comprises a pair ofconductive plates that can be electrically charged and are electricallycoupled by an electric field between the two conductive plates.

In one configuration, each conductive plate is connected to anelectrical power source such that each conductive plate receives anelectrical current to charge each conductive plate.

In one configuration, the capacitive sensor has a greater capacitancevalue when the second sensing element is in the first position than whenthe second sensing element is in the second position.

In one configuration, when the second sensing element is in the firstposition (corresponding to a door closed position), the second sensingelement substantially covers the pair of conductive plates therebyincreasing an intensity of the electrical field between the twoconductive plates thereby increasing the capacitance of the capacitivesensor.

In one configuration, when the second sensing element is in the secondposition (corresponding to a door closed position), the second sensingelement partially covers or does not cover the pair of conductive platesthereby reducing the intensity of the electrical field between the twoconductive plates thereby reducing the capacitance of the capacitivesensor.

In one configuration, the first sensing element and the second sensingelement are both electrically conductive elements.

In one configuration the first sensing element is electrically activeand receives current from an electrical power source, while the secondsensing element is electrically inactive and does not receive current,or both the first sensing element and the second sensing element areelectrically active and receive current.

In one configuration, the second sensing element comprises a pair ofconductive elements and the pair of conductive element receive currentfrom a power source.

In one configuration, the capacitive sensor is associated with areceptacle, the receptacle shaped and configured to hold a plurality ofmedical supplies in a horizontal of vertical stacked configuration, thecapacitive sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of thenumber of medical supplies removed from at least one of the receptacle,the total number of medical supplies within the receptacle and a fullstate or empty state of the receptacle.

In one configuration, each item in a package are each individuallypackaged in a flexible film wrap.

In one configuration, at least one receptacle of the plurality ofreceptacles is defined by a pair of parallel, spaced apart verticalwalls and at least a base wall, a capacitive sensor disposed on orwithin the receptacle and, the capacitive sensor comprises a pair ofsensing elements, wherein each sensing element is disposed on, adjacentor within one of the vertical walls such that the sensing elements aresubstantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other,wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to generate a signalindicative of the number of medical items located in the receptaclebetween the pair of sensing elements.

In one configuration, the capacitive sensor is configured to generate asignal indicative of the number and/or change of number of medical itemswithin the receptacle based on a change in the capacitance value of thecapacitive sensor caused by a change of a dielectric value of thecapacitive sensor due to the introduction or removal of a medical itembetween the pair of sensing elements.

In one configuration, the pair of sensing elements are two conductiveplates, each plate disposed on or within the vertical wall.

In one configuration, the two conductive plates are electrically coupledto a power source and receive current from the power source, the twoconductive plates behaving like a capacitor when the two plates arecharged.

In one configuration at least one receptacle of the plurality ofreceptacles is defined by a pair of parallel, spaced apart verticalwalls and at least a base wall, a capacitive sensor disposed on, at oradjacent or within the receptacle and, wherein the pair of sensingelements comprises a first sensing element disposed on, at or adjacentor within one vertical wall and a plurality of second sensing elementsdisposed on, at, adjacent or within an opposing vertical wall.

In one configuration, each of the second sensing elements comprises asurface area that is less than the surface area of the first sensingelement.

In one configuration, the first sensing element is a grounded element.

In one configuration, a plurality of the second sensing elements arearranged in an array structure vertically along the vertical wall of thereceptacle.

In one configuration, the second sensing elements are of equaldimensions to each other.

In one configuration, the capacitive sensor is configured to generate asignal indicative of the number of packs containing medical supplieswithin the receptacle and the number of medical supplies within eachpack of medical supplies.

In one configuration, the capacitive sensor is configured to generate asignal indicative of a pack containing at least one medical item orindividual medical items being removed from the pack.

In one configuration, the signal is proportional to or based on acapacitance value or a change of capacitance value of the capacitivesensor, wherein the capacitance value or change in capacitance value isproportional or based on the dielectric value or change in dielectricvalue, and wherein the number of packs and/or the number of medicalitems within each pack affects the dielectric value of the capacitivesensor.

In one configuration, the optical sensing arrangement comprises a lightemitter and a light detector, the light emitter configured to emit alight and the light detector configured to detect a light, the opticalsensing arrangement configured to generate a signal indicative of theidentity or number of medical items or state of a medical item within areceptacle, based on the light detected by the light detector.

In one configuration, each receptacle comprises a plurality of opticalsensing arrangements associated with each receptacle.

In one configuration, the optical sensing arrangement comprises one ormore light emitters and one or more colour detectors, the colourdetectors configured to detect a colour on a portion of an item withinthe receptacle (or introduced into the receptacle), and the opticalsensing arrangement configured to generate a signal indicative of anidentity of the item within the receptacle.

In one configuration the optical sensing arrangement comprises aplurality of light emitters, each light emitter configured to emit asingle colour (or frequency or wavelength) light.

In another configuration the optical sensing arrangement comprises oneor more light guides, each light guide including a first end opening anda second end opening, the light guide arranged such that the first endopening is located adjacent the one or more light emitters and secondend opening is inserted into or arranged adjacent a receptacle to guidelight into the receptacle, a light detector arranged adjacent the secondend opening, the light detector configured to detect a colour of lightreflected from a medical item within the receptacle or detect anintensity of light.

In one configuration, the optical sensing arrangement configured togenerate a signal indicative of the type of medical item or the numberof medical items within the receptacle.

In one configuration, at least one of the plurality of optical sensingarrangements is/are configured to generate a signal indicative of theidentity of a medical item or the state of a medical item within thereceptacle based on one or more colours detected on the medical item.

In one configuration, at least one of the plurality of optical sensingarrangements is/are configured to generate a signal indicative of thenumber of medical items based on an intensity of light and/or anintensity at specified locations within the receptacle.

In one configuration, the optical sensing arrangement comprises aplurality of light sensors capable of detecting the intensity of light,the plurality of light sensors being associated with or embedded withina receptacle, the light sensors being arranged spaced apart from eachother, the optical sensing arrangement configured to generate a signalindicative of a number of medical items or an arrangement of medicalitems or an orientation of medical items within the receptacle, thesignal based on the difference in intensity of light detected at eachlight sensor of the plurality of light sensors.

In one configuration, the sensor is able to sense between at least oneof

-   -   a. the presence and absence of an item at the receptacle,    -   b. the presence of the correct item and incorrect item at the        receptacle, and    -   c. the correct orientation and incorrect orientation an item of        pack containing a plurality of said items at the receptacle.

In one configuration, the sensor is able to sense data carried buy orassociated with the item at the receptacle such as expiry date data.

In one configuration, an optical sensing arrangement associated with theat least one receptacle of the medical supplies cabinet, the opticalsensing arrangement configured to generate a signal indicative of anidentity or number of medical items within a receptacle or the state ofa medical item within a receptacle.

In one configuration, the sensor is a load sensors configured togenerate a signal indicative of a medical item being removed from thereceptacle by an application of a force.

In one configuration, the magnitude of force detected by the one or moreload sensors corresponds to the number of items removed from thereceptacle.

In one configuration, the number of discrete forces above a predefinedthreshold corresponds to the number of items removed from thereceptacle.

In one configuration, one or more capacitive sensors or one or moreoptical sensors or one of more EID sensors associated with a receptacle,the one or more capacitive sensors configured to generate a signalindicative of the number of items in the receptacle, and the one or moreoptical or EID tag sensors configured to generate a signal indicative ofthe type of items or number of items or arrangement of the item or itemsat the receptacle.

In one configuration, a processor to receive information form thesensor, configured to determine one or more of:

-   -   i. The number of total items in a receptacle,    -   ii. The types of item in a receptacle,    -   iii. The number of items added to a receptacle,    -   iv. The number of items removed from a receptacle    -   v. The orientation of one of more items in a receptacle.

In one configuration the medical supplies cabinet further comprises oneor more environmental sensors disposed on or presented on the medicalsupplies cabinet, the one or more environmental sensors configured togenerate a signal indicative of an environmental condition.

In one configuration, the environmental sensors are at least one of ahumidity sensor, a temperature sensor or a gas sensor.

In one configuration, the medical supplies cabinet comprises one or morecameras positioned on or within the medical supplies cabinet, whereinthe one or more cameras being activated when a door of the medicalsupplies cabinet is opened.

In one configuration the medical supplies cabinet comprises a pluralityof lights presented on the door, the plurality of lights being coloureda specific colour that indicates a state of the medical suppliescabinet.

In one configuration, the medical supplies cabinet comprises a processorand a memory unit, the processor in electronic communication with one ormore of the sensors of the medical supplies cabinet and configured toprocess the signals received from the one or more sensors.

In one configuration, the medical item or medical supplies or medicalproduct is any one or more of an eye pad, a gel pad, a plaster ormultiple plaster pack, wipes, resuscitation kit, painkiller tabletboxes, tablet boxes scissors, bandage rolls or a box of gloves.

In one configuration, the eye pad is packaged in an individually wrappedformat.

In one configuration, the wrap is a plastic disposable wrap.

In one configuration, the wrapped eyepad is held in its dedicatedreceptacle in a (preferably vertically) stacked format with like wrappedeyepads.

In one configuration, the wipes are packaged in disposable box.

In one configuration, the box is a paperboard based box.

In one configuration, a plurality of packaged or wrapped medical itemscan be received and retained at a receptacle, preferably in a stackedcondition.

In one configuration, the cabinet is able to be wall mounted.

In one configuration, the cabinet is able to be plinth mounted.

In one configuration, at least some and preferably all medical suppliesretained by the cabinet are able to be removed from the cabinet withoutneeding to pass any cabinet security to gain access to the medicalsupplies.

In one configuration, the doors of the cabinet are not locked doors.

In one configuration, the doors of the cabinet are not lockable doors.

In one configuration, the sensor is an EID sensor able to sense thepresence of an EID tag attached with the medical item.

In one configuration, the sensor is an EID sensor able to sense thepresence of an EID tag attached directly to the medical item or to apack that contains at least one said medical items.

In one configuration, the sensor is an RFID sensor.

In one configuration, the RFID sensor includes an antenna for sensingthe presence of an RFID tag in proximity.

In one configuration, the RFID sensor includes a reader coupled to saidantenna.

In one configuration, the cabinet comprises a plurality of antennacoupled to said reader.

In one configuration, antenna located remotely to the cabinet areprovided able to wireless communicate with the reader and/or processorof the cabinet.

In one configuration, the sensor is able to sense a plurality of EIDtags.

In one configuration, the sensor is able to sense the location of anRFID tag in the cabinet.

In one configuration, the sensor is able to read the orientation of apackage carrying an RFID tag in the cabinet.

In one configuration, the sensor is at least one an RFID sensor that andincludes an antenna for sensing the presence of an RFID tag in proximityand is configured to read the orientation of a package carrying an RFIDtag at least when at a receptacle.

In one configuration, the reader includes or is coupled to a processor.

In one configuration, the cabinet electrical power needs are met bymains power and in case of mains power failure by an integrateduninterruptable power supply.

In one configuration, the uninterruptable power supply is able to reduceor terminate supply of electrical power to power demanding components ofthe cabinet in order of importance of the components and/or if anyrequire power at any given time.

In one configuration, the cabinet carries a door that is able to beclosed to prevent a person accessing medical items, the uninterruptablepower supply is able to reduce or terminate supply of electrical powerto the sensor(s) when the door of the cabinet is closed.

In one configuration, the or each receptacle is of a shape andconfiguration to encourage a user to put only a medical item or packcontaining at least one of said medical items in the receptacle by amatching of the same and configuration of the receptacle to the shapeand configuration of the item or pack containing at least on said item.

In one configuration, the relationship between the shape andconfiguration of the receptacle and the medical item or pack is a go-nogo relationship.

In a further aspect the present invention may be said to be a medicalsupplies system that comprises:

-   -   a. medical items of at least two different kinds and with which        two differently configured EID tags are associated, and    -   b. a cabinet comprising:    -   a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where        there is provided at least two medical supplies receptacles, one        for each kind of medical item to be received at a respective        receptacle,    -   an EID tag reader to read the EID tags and arranged and        configured to determine at least one of the following:    -   (a) if the correct medical item is located at its respective        receptacle,    -   (b) the orientation of the medical item when in a respective        receptacle, and    -   (c) information carried by the EID tag.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention may be said to be amedical supplies cabinet comprising:

a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided at a plurality of medical supplies receptacles, the receptaclesbeing of a shape and configuration each to be able to at least partlyreceive and hold at least medical items contained in at least twodifferent shaped disposable packages, each package including a colour,different to each other, on at least part of its surface,

each receptacle defining a mouth opening matching the shape of arespective package and via which said package can be hence received intothe receptacle in a snug manner, at least part of each receptacle and/ora region about the mouth opening being of a colour that substantiallymatches the colour of said package to be received at it, to encourage asaid package to be loaded into a matching receptacle.

In one configuration, the receptacles are of a shape and configurationeach to be able to at least partly receive and hold said medical itemseach contained in at least two different shaped disposable packages,each package carrying a said EID tag.

In one configuration, each receptacle defines a mouth opening matchingthe shape of a respective package and via which said package can behence received into the receptacle in a snug manner to encourage a saidpackage to be loaded into a matching receptacle.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a medical suppliescabinet comprising:

a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided a plurality of discrete medical supplies receptacles,

the receptacles being of a shape and configuration to be able to atleast partly receive and hold at least one (preferably packaged) medicalitem,

an optical sensing arrangement associated with at least one receptacleof the medical supplies cabinet, the optical sensing arrangementconfigured to generate a signal indicative of an identity or number ofmedical items within a receptacle or the state of a medical item withina receptacle.

In one configuration, the optical sensing arrangement is able to sensecolour and/or shape.

In one configuration, the optical sensing arrangement is a code scanner.

In one configuration, the optical sensing arrangement is a bar codescanner or the like.

In still a further aspect, the present invention may be said to be amedical supplies dispenser comprising:

a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided a at least one receptacle, the receptacle being of a shape andconfiguration to be able to at least partly receive and hold at leastone medical item,

a load sensor associated with the receptacle and to be associated withthe at least one medical item, the load sensor configured to generate asignal indicative of a medical item being removed from the receptacle byan application of a force.

In one configuration, the magnitude of force detected by the sensorcorresponds to the number of items removed from the receptacle.

In one configuration, the signal from the load sensor is able to becommunication to the medical supplies cabinet as herein described or toa process that also is able to receive a signal from the sensor of themedical supplies cabinet as herein described.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention may be said to be amedical supplies cabinet comprising at least one receptacle to receive amedical item or pack containing a plurality of medical items the medicalitem or pack received in the vicinity of a capacitive sensor of thecabinet and able vary the capacitance of the sensor based on thelocation of the medical item or pack or items of the pack relative tothe capacitive sensor.

In a further aspect, the present invention may be said to be a systemcomprising a medical supplies dispenser as herein before described and amedical supplies cabinet as herein before described.

In still a further aspect, the present invention may be said to be amedical supplies cabinet comprising:

a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided at least one medical supplies receptacles, the receptacle(s)being of a shape and configuration each to be able to at least partlyreceive and hold at least one medical item,

a door, the door pivotably connected the housing and the door beingmoveable between an open position corresponding to the medical suppliesstorage zone being exposed for interaction by a user and a closedposition where the door covers the medical supplies storage zone therebypreventing interaction by a user,

a camera to make a recording of the view facing away from the medicalsupplies storage zone of the cabinet, the door includes a mirror that islocated to reflect a view of at least part of the medical suppliesstorage zone to the camera when the door is near its closed positionsuch that the camera can make a recording of the medical suppliesstorage zone when the door is near its closed position.

In one configuration, the camera is located by the housing.

In one configuration, there is only one door provided to prevent accessto the storage zone when the door is closed.

In one configuration, there is only one camera provided to record theview facing away from the medical supplies cabinet.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a medical suppliescabinet comprising:

a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided a plurality of discrete medical supplies receptacles,

the receptacles being of a shape and configuration to be able to atleast partly receive and hold at least one (preferably packaged) medicalitem,

one or more environmental sensors disposed on or presented on themedical supplies cabinet, the one or more environmental sensorsconfigured to generate a signal indicative of an environmentalcondition.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a medical suppliescabinet that comprises a housing that presents a plurality of discretereceptacles to each receive at least one medical item, at least one ofthe receptacles is of a shape that corresponds to the shape of at leastone medical item in a manner so that the at least one medical item isable to be held at the receptacle in a snug fit manner.

In still a further aspect the present invention may be said to be amethod of reporting stock levels at a receptacle (or receptacles) of amedical supplies cabinet at where at least one packaged medical item isretained, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   receiving a signal from a sensor associated with the receptacle,        processing the received signal to determine the presence or        absence or introduction/removal of a packaged medical item from        the receptacle; wherein the presence or absence or        introduction/removal of a packaged medical item from the        receptacle is based on a sensible characteristic or ID of or        associated with the packed medical item.

In one configuration, the sensible characteristic is of the weight ofthe packaged medical item.

In one configuration, the signal is from a capacitive sensor associatedwith the receptacle, the capacitive sensor comprising a pair of sensingelements,

wherein said processing of the received signal to determine the presenceor absence or introduction/removal of a medical item from the receptacleis based on identifying at least one of:

-   -   i. a dielectric value and/or change in the dielectric value of        the capacitive sensor as a result of the presence or movement or        absence of the medical item relative to the sensor, and    -   ii. the relative position and/or change in the relative position        of the pair of sensing elements of the capacitive sensor.

In one configuration, the method further comprises identifying an eventbased on the gradient or change in gradient of an output signal from thecapacitive sensor.

In one configuration, the sensor is an optical sensor and the methodfurther comprises:

receiving a signal from the optical sensor associated with thereceptacle, the optical sensor including at least a light emitter and alight detector,

processing the received signal to determine an identity of a medicalitem or the number of medical items within a receptacle, wherein theidentity of a medical item is determined based on a detected colour ofthe medical item and the number of medical items determined based on anintensity of light detected within the receptacle.

In one configuration, the optical sensor comprises a plurality of lightsensors disposed in the receptacle and spaced apart from each other, themethod comprises receiving a signal from each of the light sensors andprocessing the received signals to determine either a number of items orconfiguration/arrangement of items within the receptacle based on anintensity of light and/or an intensity at specified locations within thereceptacle.

In one configuration, the sensible characteristic is of the presence orabsence of an EID tag associated with the medical item when in theproximity of a said sensor that is an EID sensor.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a method ofreporting stock levels at a receptacle (or receptacles) of a medicalsupplies cabinet at where at least one packaged medical item isretained, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal from an optical sensor associated with a receptacle,the optical sensor including a light emitter and a light detector,

processing the received signal to determine either a presence of amedical item in the receptacle or an identity of an item or a number ofitems in the receptacle based on identifying at least one of:

i. a colour of the item in the receptacle,

ii. the intensity of light within the receptacle,

iii. intensity at specified locations within the receptacle.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a method ofreporting stock levels at a receptacle (or receptacles) of a medicalsupplies cabinet at where at least one packaged medical item isretained, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal from a load sensor associated with a receptacle,

processing the received signal to determine removal of a single medicalitem from the receptacle based on identifying a force detected by theload sensor, comparing the detected force with a threshold and if theforce exceeds a threshold, indicating a single item has been removed.

In one configuration, the medical supplies cabinet is of a kind asherein described.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a medical suppliescabinet comprising:

a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided a plurality of discrete medical supplies receptacles,

the receptacles being of a shape and configuration to be able to atleast partly receive and hold at least one (preferably packaged) medicalitem,

an optical sensing arrangement associated with at least one receptacleof the medical supplies cabinet, the optical sensing arrangementconfigured to generate a signal indicative of an identity or number ofmedical items within a receptacle or the state of a medical item withina receptacle; and

one or more load sensors associated with a receptacle, each load sensorconfigured to generate a signal indicative of a medical item beingremoved from the receptacle by an application of a force wherein themagnitude of force detected by the one or more load sensors correspondsto the number of items removed from the receptacle.

In one configuration, the medical supplies cabinet may further compriseone or more environmental sensors disposed on or presented on themedical supplies cabinet, the one or more environmental sensorsconfigured to generate a signal indicative of an environmentalcondition.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a medical suppliescabinet comprising

a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided a plurality of discrete medical supplies receptacles,

the receptacles being of a shape and configuration to be able to atleast partly receive and hold at least one (preferably packaged) medicalitem,

one or more load sensors associated with a receptacle, each load sensorconfigured to generate a signal indicative of a medical item beingremoved from the receptacle by an application of a force wherein themagnitude of force detected by the one or more load sensors correspondsto the number of items removed from the receptacle; and

one or more environmental sensors disposed on or presented on themedical supplies cabinet, the one or more environmental sensorsconfigured to generate a signal indicative of an environmentalcondition.

In still a further aspect the present invention resides in a medicalsupplies cabinet comprising a plurality of receptacles able to eachreceive at least one packaged medical item a or the receptacle(s)including an openable closure to allow and prevent loading of thepackaged medical item into the receptacle, a sensor part of the cabinetby which a sensible feature of the packaged medical item can be sensed,the sensor in operative connection with the openable closure to allowthe closure open to be opened if the sensed feature of the packagedmedical item is verified suitable for receipt at the receptacle.

In one configuration, the sensed feature related to the expiry date forthe packaged medical item.

In one configuration, the sensed feature is an RFID tag of the packagedmedical item.

In one configuration, the sensed feature is a bar code of the packagedmedical item.

In one configuration, the sensor is a bar code scanner.

In one configuration, the sensor is an EID sensor.

In one configuration, a light at a receptacle is provided that canilluminate or change colour once a verified item is sensed by the sensorto indicate which receptacle the item is to be loaded.

In one configuration, the cabinet includes a speaker that is able toplay audio to inform a person that has presented a package for loadinginto the cabinet that the package is verified by the system of thepresent invention loading into a receptacle of the cabinet.

In one configuration, the cabinet includes a visual communication meansthat is able to inform a person that has presented a package for loadinginto the cabinet that the package is verified by the system of thepresent invention loading into a receptacle of the cabinet.

In one configuration, a light is provided to illuminate adjacent or atleast part of a receptacle to indicate to a user which receptacle apackage should be loaded into.

In one configuration, at least one medical supply unit is providedremote from the cabinet and is able to wirelessly communicate with thecabinet.

In one configuration, the RFID sensor can is positioned in the cabinetto be able to help detect the orientation and/or location of an RFIDcarrying package in a receptacle of the cabinet.

In one configuration, the medical supplies receptacles are removablefrom the housing and able to be removably secured to the cabinet, thehousing including a plurality of receptacle receiving regions, eachregion able to receive at least two different shaped and configuredreceptacles.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a medical suppliescabinet comprising:

a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided at least one medical supplies receptacle, the receptacle beingof a shape and configuration to be able to at least partly receive andhold a package containing at least one medical item,

wherein the receptacle is adapted to encourage the loading only ofpackages of a kind of said package by a person, by virtue of at leastone of:

-   -   (a) the receptacle being of a shape and configuration to ensure        a snug fit in said receptacle by said package,    -   (b) an indicium or indicia at or proximate the receptacle,        presented to the person for comparison to indicium or indicia on        the package, and    -   (c) an EID tag reader of the cabinet in proximity to the        receptacle to detect or read a strength of a signal from an EID        tag carried by said package, and a response is provided based on        the strength of the signal.

In one configuration, the EID tag reader is or comprises at least onereader antenna that is configured to read the strength of the signalfrom an EID tag.

In one configuration, the EID tag reader is a RFID tag reader and theEID tag is the RFID tag.

In one configuration, the indicium or indicia is a colour(s).

In a further aspect, the invention resides in a medical supplies cabinetcomprising:

-   -   a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where        there is provided at least one medical supplies receptacle, the        receptacle(s) being of a shape and configuration to be able to        at least partly receive and hold at least one medical item,    -   at least one tag reader at or proximate the receptacle(s), and    -   at least one sensor tag configured to generate a signal or        information that be configured to be read by the at least one        tag reader,

wherein, said at least one sensor tag is located on the or each medicalitem or a packaging of each medical item in such a position thatdamaging or tampering of the medical item or packaging causes saidsensor tag(s) to be damaged or removed from that medical item orpackaging, and

wherein, a response is sent based on the reading from the at least onetag reader, thereby enabling determination of damage to or tampering ofany medical item or the packaging.

In one configuration, the at least one sensor tag is an EID tag and atleast one tag reader is an EID tag reader.

In one configuration, the at least one sensor tag is a RFID tag and atleast one tag reader a RFID tag reader or a reader antenna.

In a further aspect, the invention resides in a medical supplies cabinetcomprising:

-   -   a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where        there is provided at least one medical supplies receptacle, the        receptacle(s) being of a shape and configuration to be able to        at least partly receive and hold at least two medical items,

at least one tag reader at or proximate the receptacle(s), and

at least two sensor tags that are carried by each medical item or apackaging of each medical item, each tag being configured to generate asignal or information to be read by the at least one tag reader,

-   -   wherein, said at least two sensor tags are located each medical        item or a packaging of each medical item in such an orientation        that when the at least two medical items are received in one        receptacle and/or are proximate to each other, the at least one        tag reader can read signal or information generated by at least        one tag carried by each medical item.

In one configuration, the sensor tags are EID tags and at least one tagreader is an EID reader.

In one configuration, the sensor tags are RFID tag and at least one tagreader is a RFID reader or a reader antenna.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein(for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rationalnumbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5,7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range(for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, allsub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expresslydisclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended andall possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest valueand the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expresslystated in this application in a similar manner.

As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.

As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singularforms of the noun.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting atleast in part of”. When interpreting statements in this specificationwhich include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in eachstatement, all need to be present but other features can also bepresent. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprised” are to beinterpreted in the same manner.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications,cited above and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred aspects of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is a front view of a medical supplies cabinet according to onepreferred embodiment of the invention having an upper front door and alower front door, with the upper front door shown in an open condition.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the medical supplies cabinet of FIG. 1 with both doors in aclosed condition.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a medical supplies cabinet according to afurther preferred embodiment of the invention having only one door, withthe door shown in an open condition.

FIG. 3B shows a general purpose capacitor.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show two views of the medical supplies cabinet with thedoor in a closed position. FIG. 4B shows an internal configuration of ametal plate on a door arm relative to a fixed plate in the cabinet.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show two views of the medical supplies cabinet with thedoor in an intermediate position. FIG. 5B shows an internalconfiguration of a metal plate on a door arm relative to a fixed platein the cabinet.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show two views of the medical supplies cabinet with thedoor in a completely open position. FIG. 6B shows an internalconfiguration of a metal plate on a door arm relative to a fixed platein the cabinet.

FIG. 7 shows a view of two fixed plates that are associated with a wallof the cabinet denoting a door open condition.

FIG. 8 shows the presence of the plate attached to the door arm adjacentwith fixed plates of FIG. 8, denoting a door closed position.

FIGS. 9 to 15 show various views of a receptacle for holding eye padsand a capacitive sensing associated with the receptacle.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the moving metal plate 35 may move between a binfull position and bin empty position as it moves relative to the firstand second capacitive plates 37 and 38.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show the arrangement of a biasing member and a portionof a capacitive sensor associated with the door, wherein the door isshown in an open and closed configuration respectively.

FIGS. 18 to 20 show a configuration of a capacitive sensor within areceptacle for detecting the presence of a medical item.

FIGS. 21 to 27 shows a configuration of capacitive sensors associatedwith a receptacle to detect use of individual medical items from a stackof medical items.

FIGS. 23A to 23D show an alternative configuration of capacitive sensorson a receptacle to detect misalignment of stacked medical items.

FIG. 28A illustrates an event detection method to detect an event (e.g.a medical item being introduced or removed from a receptacle).

FIG. 28B shows an exemplary plot of the output of a capacitive sensordetecting events.

FIGS. 29 to 33 show a configuration of load sensors and optionalcapacitive sensors in a receptacle to detect removal of a medical itemby application of a force.

FIG. 34 shows an arrangement of medical items within a receptacle suchthat removal of the medical item can be detected.

FIG. 35 shows an exemplary load sensor.

FIG. 36 shows an arrangement of a plurality of spare plaster packswithin a receptacle.

FIG. 37 shows a plot of tug force vs static force that can be used toidentify a tug.

FIGS. 38A to 38C show a plurality of plurality of receptacles with anoptical sensing arrangement associated with each receptacle.

FIGS. 38D and 38E show an example configuration of a plurality ofoptical sensing arrangements on a printed circuit board.

FIG. 39 shows an optical sensing arrangement that comprises a pluralityof coloured light emitters and a single light detector.

FIG. 40 shows an optical sensing arrangement including a plurality oflight guides to direct light into adjacent receptacles.

FIG. 41 shows a cross section of a receptacle with an optical sensingarrangement used to detect the presence and/or type of a pack containingmedical supplies within a receptacle.

FIGS. 42a to 42c show a cross section of a receptacle including anoptical sensing arrangement associated with the receptacle for detectingthe number of items in a receptacle.

FIGS. 43A and 43B show views of an unopened package of medical suppliesand an opened (or tampered) package of medical supplies.

FIG. 44 shows a method of using colour detection to determine the typeof pack or product in a receptacle.

FIG. 45 shows a method of determining the number of products in areceptacle using one or more light sensors within the receptacles.

FIG. 46 is a cross sectional view through a package.

FIG. 47 is a cross sectional view through a package.

FIG. 48 is a cross sectional view through a package.

FIG. 49 a cross sectional view through a package with the tamper evidentdevice broken.

FIG. 50 a cross sectional view through a package.

FIG. 51 a cross sectional view through a package.

FIG. 52 a cross sectional view through a package with the tamper evidentdevice broken.

FIG. 53 is a cross sectional view through a receptacle showing a packagelocated in the receptacle.

FIG. 54 is a front view of a cabinet showing for receptacles.

FIG. 55 is a front view of a receptacle of a cabinet.

FIG. 56 is a rear perspective view of a package.

FIG. 57 is a view of an RFID antenna and field.

FIG. 57 A is a view of 3 receptacles (Bins) and positioning of thereader antenna compared to RFID tags.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a package.

FIG. 59 is a plan view of a receptacle.

FIG. 60 is a front view of a plurality of receptacles.

FIG. 61 is a side view of a plurality of receptacles.

FIGS. 62-68 show how a package can be sensed to allow or dis-allow thepackage entering the cabinet.

FIGS. 69A to 69C show an example configuration of a sensing arrangementson a printed circuit board for scissor/tweezer sensing.

FIGS. 70 A-C show two products such as packs for a triangular bandageeach having two RFID tags.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying figures, which form a part hereof. The illustrativeembodiments described in the detailed description and figures are notmeant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and otherchanges may be made, without departing from the scope of the subjectmatter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspectsof the present disclosure, as generally described herein, andillustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined,separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations,all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

Various examples of the preferred embodiments of the medical suppliescabinet and the components thereof will now be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, there is shown one example of a preferred embodiment of amedical supplies cabinet 1 where the front face of the cabinet isprovided with a first door 2 and a second door 3, the first door 2 isshown in an open condition (also shown in FIG. 2) and the second door 3is shown in a closed condition (also shown in FIG. 3), covering themedical supplies adjacent. In the preferred form, the doors 2 and 3 aretransparent or translucent. There may be two such doors provided, anupper door 2 and a lower door 3. The doors may instead be side by side.Alternatively, only one door may be provided such as the one as will bedescribed later with reference to FIG. 3A. The doors provide thefunction of keeping dust and other contaminants away from the medicalsupplies held by the cabinet. The door or doors may also perform thefunction of indicating cabinet status, as will hereinafter be described.The door(s) position may also control other parts of the cabinet such asthe turning on and off of the camera recording function and/or powersaving setting to reduce power consumption when for example the door(s)is/are shut.

The cabinet is preferably able to be wall mounted and has a back face 4and a front face 5. Alternatively, the cabinet may be ground supportedor may be supported on a table or plinth or the like. In the mostpreferred form the cabinet will be wall mounted.

Preferably at the front face 5 there is provided a zone at where aplurality of medical supplies receptacles are presented. For example, ascissor receptacle 6 is provided at where a scissors can be located. Areceptacle 7 may be provided for tweezers. Likewise, receptacles may beprovided for swabs 7, a manual or instructions 8, bandages 9, tape 10,burn gel 11, 4 in 1 blood stopper package 12, wound cleaner containingpack 13, a resuscitation kit pack 14, eye and wound wash packs 15,emergency blanket containing pack 16, eye pad packs 17, large dressingpacks 18, burn gel packs 19 and further 4 in 1 blood stopper packs 20and plaster containing packs 21. The items to be used with the cabinetare not limited to these.

Each receptacle is preferably of a shape and configuration to be able toreceive one or a plurality of such items, in some configurations,contained in packs or wraps. In some receptacles only one pack isreceived, the pack containing one or more medical supply items that mayalso be individually wrapped or not. In other forms the receptacles mayreceive a plurality of discrete packs or wraps containing such items aseye pads 17.

There are one or more of the receptacles configured to receive at leastone medical item. At least one or more of the receptacles is of a shapethat corresponds to the shape of at least one medical item in a mannerso that at least one medical item is able to be held in the receptaclein a snug fit manner. At least one of the receptacles is shaped suchthat a snug fit exists between the item or package containing the itemor a plurality of items or plurality of packages containing the items.

At least one receptacle may be of a shape that corresponds to a specificmedical item or a package containing a plurality of medical items sothat only those specific medical items or packages can be inserted intothe receptacle. Medical items or packages that do not correspond to theshape of the receptacle would not be able to be inserted into thereceptacle. The items for each receptacle are preferably identicalitems. The shape of the receptacles is one way to help prevent mixing ofitems within receptacles, because only items matching the shape can beinserted in the receptacle. The shape of the receptacle can help inachieving a homogenous distribution of items in certain receptacles.Other receptacles may be of a more general shape and can accept anymedical item or package regardless of the shape of the receptacle.

In addition, provided preferably at the front face of the medicalsupplies cabinet 1, is a camera 22. It is preferably provided at the topof the cabinet. Preferably there is only one camera. This camera may beprovided external of the upper door 2 or internal thereof when closedand only become exposed when the top door is open.

A bottom door camera 23 may also be provided. This may be obscured atleast partially by the bottom door when the bottom door is in its closedcondition. The camera(s) 23,23 may run continuously to record activityin front of the medical supplies cabinet. Alternatively, the cameras22,23 may record intermittently and may for example only record activityin front of the medical supplies cabinet 1 when one or both or arespective door is at least partially opened. The footage recorded maybe transmitted to a local or remote storage device for subsequent andfuture review. The cameras 22, 23 may so take footage or a photo orphotos or all.

An alert button 24 may also be provided by the medical supplies cabinet1, preferably at the front face of the cabinet. The use(s) of alertbutton 24 is described later in the specification.

In FIG. 3A, there is shown a further example of a preferred embodimentof a medical supplies cabinet. In this example, the front face of thecabinet 1A is provided with only one door 2.

As shown, on the door side, there is provided a plurality of medicalsupplies receptacles. For example, a scissor receptacle is providedwhere a scissors 6 can be located. A receptacle may be provided fortweezers 7. Likewise, receptacles may be provided for emergency blanketcontaining pack 1, pad 6, biological disposable bag 30. A mirror 25A isalso provided in the door side.

Similarly, on the front face of the cabinet 1A, there are receptaclesfor a bandage 9A (which may be a triangular bandage), tape 10A, largeburn dressing or burn gel 11A, large blood stopper such as 4 in 1 bloodstopper package 12A, eyewash or wound wash packs 15A, eye pad packs 17A,large dressing packs 18A, burn gel sachets/packs 19A, a small bloodstopper packs or a further blood stopper packs 20A, plaster containingpacks 21A, hand sanitiser packs 26A, gloves 27A, breathing mask packs28A and crepe bandage packs 29A. The supplies that could be contained bythe receptacles are not limiting to these medical items.

There is also preferably a tape door covering 33A to cover any sparetape(s).

Therefore, it can be seen that unlike the first preferred embodiment ofthe cabinet 1A shown in FIGS. 1-3 where the receptacles are present onlyon the front face 5, in the second preferred embodiment of the cabinet1A, the receptacles are present on both the door side as well as the onthe front face 5 of the cabinet 1A.

The door 2 is connected by a hinge or other suitable mechanism locatedon the front face 5A of the cabinet 1A so that the door can be openedthereby revealing the front face 5A or closed thereby concealing thefront face 5A.

Each receptacle is preferably of a shape and configuration to be able toreceive one or a plurality of such items, in some configurations,contained in packs or wraps. In some receptacles only one pack isreceived, the pack containing one or more medical supply items. In otherforms the receptacles may receive a plurality of discrete packs or wrapscontaining such items as eye pads 17.

The receptacles are preferably of a shape that corresponds to the shapeof at least one medical item in a manner so that at least one medicalitem is able to be held in the receptacle in a snug fit manner. At leastone of the receptacles are preferably shaped such that a snug fit existsbetween the item or package containing the item or a plurality of itemsor plurality of packages containing the items.

Similar cabinet 1, at least one receptacle of cabinet 1A may be of ashape that correspond to a specific medical item or a package containinga plurality of medical items so that only those specific medical itemsor packages can be inserted into the receptacle. Medical items orpackages that do not correspond to the shape of the receptacle would notbe able to be inserted into the receptacle. The items in each receptacle(i.e. bin or receptacle) are preferably identical items. The shape ofthe receptacles is one way to prevent mixing of items withinreceptacles, because only items matching the shape can be inserted inthe receptacle. The shape of the receptacle can help in achieving ahomogenous distribution of items in certain receptacles. Otherreceptacles may be of a more general shape and can accept any medicalitem or package regardless of the shape of the receptacle.

In addition, provided preferably at the front face of the medicalsupplies cabinet 1A, is a camera 22A. This camera may be provided atother suitable locations such external of the upper door 2 or internalthereof when closed and only become exposed when the door 2 is open. InFIG. 3A, the camera 22A is shown to be located at or near the centre ofthe front face 5A of the cabinet 1A facing the mirror. In that way, thecamera 22A can also capture the images that is displayed by the mirror.This is useful, because if the door is opened as shown in FIG. 3A, thecamera can capture the items/receptacles on the door side as well as theimages displayed by the mirror for example, which could for example bethe items/receptacles present in the front face 5A of the cabinet 2A.

Optionally there may be additional camera(s) but preferably there isonly one camera.

The camera 22A may run continuously to record activity in front of themedical supplies cabinet. Alternatively, the cameras 22A,23A may recordintermittently and may for example only record activity in front of themedical supplies cabinet 1A when one or both or a respective door is atleast partially opened. The footage recorded may be transmitted to alocal or remote storage device for subsequent and future review. Thecameras 22A may so take footage or a photo or photos or all.

Optionally an alert button 24 may also be provided.

In a preferred form one or several variation(s) of capacitive sensing ofitems is/are utilised by the medical supplies cabinet 1.

Capacitive sensing to detect a change in a capacitor may be implementedin at least one of three ways:

-   -   1. As the dielectric, k, changes due to absence or presence or        change in configuration of an object between capacitor electrode        plates,    -   2. As the area of overlap of capacitor electrode plates changes,        and    -   3. Where the distance capacitor electrode plates changes due to        the plates moving closer or further apart,

FIG. 3B shows a general purpose capacitor 300. The capacitor comprises adielectric layer 303 that is sandwiched between two conductive plates301, 302. The principal of capacitance operating is as follows:C=kε ₀ _(d) ^(Δ)

-   -   where, C is capacitance,    -   k is relative permittivity of the dielectric material between        plates,    -   ε₀ is permittivity of free space,    -   A is areas of the plates, and    -   D is the distance between plates.

The capacitance value is affected by the dielectric value i.e.dielectric constant K, the areas of the plates 301, 302 i.e.corresponding/overlapping areas of the plates 301, 302 and the distanced between the plates.

In one form capacitive sensing may be employed by the medical suppliescabinet 1 for determining the relative position between two componentsof the medical supplies cabinet.

In one example the housing 1 a of the medical supplies cabinet and adoor 2 may rely on capacitive sensing to determine the relative positionof the door 2, to the housing 1 a. With reference to FIGS. 4-8 referenceis made to door position sensing using capacitive sensing. In FIG. 4athe housing 1 a and the door 2 are shown in a closed condition. In FIG.5a the housing 1 a and door 2 are shown in a partially open conditionand in FIG. 6a the housing 1 a and door 2 are shown in a fully openedcondition. The housing and door may be connected by a hinge 33 to allowsuch movement to occur. The door arrangement can be one of many shapesand configurations and is shown in FIGS. 4-6 in a simplified form forclarity. The door 2 has a door arm that may be used to retain and/orlock the door open and closed. Preferably, the arm preferable alsocarries a metal plate 35. A capacitive sensor 34 is placed by thehousing 1 a so that as the door 2 opens and closes the metal plate 35covers and uncovers the capacitive sensor 34.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 the details of the capacitive sensor 34are shown. The capacitive sensor 34 comprises a first sensing elementand a second sensing element. The first sensing element is preferablyfixed and the second sensing element is preferably moveable e.g. mountedto the door 2. A first fixed capacitive plate 37 (i.e. first plate) anda second fixed capacitive plate 38 (i.e. second conductive plate),usually ground are shown. Capacitive plate means a plate that is part ofa capacitive sensor. Capacitive plates may be active plates i.e. chargedplates that receive a current or may be static conductive plates thatare not connected to an electrical power source. The capacitive platesare preferably electrically conductive plates made from a suitablematerial e.g. a metal.

These are preferably attached to the housing of the cabinet 1, 1A. Theyare preferably provided in the same plane as each other as can be seenin FIGS. 7 and 8. One of the capacitive plates is typically ground andthe other connects to a capacitance meter. In the absence of the metalplate 35, as seen in FIG. 7 a weak electrical field 39 is present andthe capacitance measured is small. That is, the effective area of thecapacitor is small and the distance between the plates is large. Whenthe metal plate 35 is present the electric field lines 40 areintensified and the capacitance increases with the degree the metalplate covers the two fixed plates. With one or more of the arrangementsshown the degree the door is open can be sensed. The moving metal platecan be an existing metal feature of the door. In one arrangement themetal feature may be is a spring or another biasing member used to holdthe door open.

The spring may function as the moving plate of the capacitor and moverelative to the fixed capacitor plate. FIGS. 17A and 17B show examplesof a fixed capacitor plate 48 i.e. a sensing element of the capacitivesensor being attached to a moveable spring 47. The sensing element i.e.the capacitor plate 48 is an electrically conductive element. Thesensing element 48 may be an active element i.e. may be connected to anelectrical power source. Alternatively, the fixed sensing elements 37,38 e.g. fixed plates 37, 38 may be active elements that are connected toan electrical power source. The spring 47 preferably biases the doortoward the open position and the moveable sensing (second sensingelement) element i.e. plate 48 is mounted or disposed on the spring 47.Alternatively, the spring 47 may be a metal spring that itself forms themoveable sensing element 48.

Alternatively, the spring 47 may bias the door toward the closedposition and the moveable sensing element 48 may be disposed on thespring 47.

The spring 47 is preferably pivotably mounted to a wall of thereceptacle. The spring 47 is preferably moveable along an arcuate pathrelative to the wall of the receptacle. The moveable sensing elementi.e. capacitor plate 48 moveable along the same arcuate path and movespast the fixed plates 37, 38. The fixed capacitive plates are preferablypresented on or disposed within the wall of the receptacle. FIG. 17Ashows the door in an open position with the spring 47 and capacitorplate 48 at a first position. FIG. 17B shows the door in a closedposition. As shown in FIG. 17B the spring 47 and the capacitor plate 48are in a second position.

Knowing the door position is useful at least because:

-   -   a. At a certain position of the door being open and/or closed, a        photo may be taken or a video recording may commence, using one        of or both of the cameras 21, 23. This is particularly useful        when the door is closed and the camera is then obscured by the        door. Once the door reaches a certain extent of opening the        camera can be activated.    -   b. When a door that is jammed open for a long period of time, an        undesirable status of the cabinet is detected. An alert may        issue, for example, the alert may provide notification to a        person local to the medical supplies cabinet, and prompt that        person to go and check the status.

Other means of achieving a sensing of the door position may be by use oflight detection sensors or mechanical means such as micro switches/reedswitches. Using capacitive sensing more than just the door open or doorclosed conditions can be measured but also the degree of opening.

A similar method of capacitive sensing can be used for sensing thedispensing of articles from a receptacle. Reference for example will nowbe made to FIGS. 9-17 which for illustrative purposes shows capacitivesensing applied to a receptacle within which eye pads 46 are located.The eye pads 46 are contained in individual wraps and may beindividually dispensed from the receptacle. The receptacle 42 has acavity within which a stack of wrapped eye pad 46 are located. The wrapsare able to be positioned in the receptacle 42 in a stackedconfiguration as seen in FIGS. 12 and 14. A sensor arm 44 is able tolocate on top of the stack. The sensor arm may pivot at pivot point 43relative to the housing of the receptacle 42. The sensor arm 44 mayinclude an extension piece 45. The extension piece 45 is preferably aplanar member. More preferably the extension piece 45 is a fin that canrest on top of the stack. The extension piece 45 may be any suitablesubstantially flat, planar member. As one or more wraps is/are removedfrom the stack (whether it is the top wrap or bottom wrap or anyintermediate wrap) the stack height of the pack reduces and the sensorarm 44 pivots relative to the housing of the receptacle 42. A spring 41may be provided to facilitate this pivoting motion. Carried by thesensor arm 44 may be one of the metal plate 35 or capacitive plate 34and acting in concert therewith may be the other of the metal plate 35or capacitive plate 34 carried by the housing of the receptacle 42. Onepart of the capacitive sensing plates may be mounted to a support 49 asseen in FIGS. 10 and 12.

The angular position of the sensor arm 44, correlating to the stackheight of the packs 46, can hence be measured. As seen for example inFIGS. 16 and 17, the moving metal plate 35 may move between a bin fullposition and bin empty position as it moves relative to the first andsecond capacitive plates 37 and 38. In a preferred form a spring 41 isprovided but alternatively the weight of the sensor arm 44 may besufficient to ensure pressure is applied to the top of the stack. Itwill be understood that a capacitor is formed between the separatedrelatively moving plates and a read capacitance value is proportional tothe overlap of the plate 35 with the plates 37/38.

The preferred two fixed plate approach ensures that when the bin isfull, one plate is covered (maximum capacitance) and the other fixedplate is uncovered (minimum capacitance) and when the bin is empty thepreviously covered plate is uncovered (minimum capacitance) and thepreviously uncovered plate becomes covered (maximum capacitance). Thisarrangement helps reduce errors due to the moving plate distance fromthe fixed plate changing (which may occur when for example the pivotaxle may have some slip in it which can cause the sensor arm 44 to movesideways a small amount). This arrangement can help reduce errors in thecapacitive sensing due to mechanical defects or due to mechanical wearand tear. The geometry of the measuring arm, it's pivot point andlocation of the sensors, can be designed so that the effect of movementof the arm can be amplified. For example the arc that the plate movesover between its two extremes of movement can be adjusted by adjustinggeometry appropriately. This can be used to increase sensitivity tomeasuring the dispensing of thin items at the expense of largercapacitive plates.

The arm preferably has a tongue or fin (see extension piece 45) shapedto focus the displacement activity on a particular spot on the top ofthe stack. It is preferably focussed on the middle portion of theuppermost pack in the stack.

The provision of a fin or similar element as part of the sensing arm 44has the advantage in obtaining better readings, such as:

-   -   a. where the wrap and/or the wrapped product is flimsy and may        not be pushed fully home into the receptacle, bringing a contact        point further forward in the receptacle,    -   b. where the product is non-uniform and the thicker part is at        the middle of the product rather than at the peripheral edges of        the pack,    -   c. by providing a sensing point defined by the fin that is        closer to the pivot point 43 so to enhance measuring        sensitivity.

FIG. 17 shows an arrangement where there are more than two fixed plates37/38 cooperating with one moving plate 35. It also illustrates how theradius (R1, R2) can provide for a substantial change in distancedtravelled (X1, X2) giving more capacitive change or allowing more fixedplates to be used.

Capacitive sensing that may be employed in the cabinet may occur byvirtue of a change in the dielectric provided between two capacitorplates. This may have application in situations where a stack of packsmay be provided that can be removed to thereby decrease the stack heightwhere the sensing arm approach as described with reference to FIGS.10-17 is not appropriate.

With reference to FIG. 18 there is shown a side view of a capacitor 50with a first capacitor plate 51 and a second capacitor plate 52 andthere is a dielectric substantially comprising of air intermediate 53.For this situation the capacitance is minimum (Cmin). FIG. 19 shows aside view of the capacitor 50 with a product 54 that has a dielectricsubstantially different to air completely occupying or substantiallyoccupying the volume between the two plates 51 and 52. For thissituation the capacitance may be maximum (Cmax).

FIG. 20 shows a side view of the capacitor 50 with a product occupying aportion of the volume between the plates 51, 52 and extending to eachplate 51, 52. For this situation the capacitance falls between Cmin andCmax in proportion to the amount of area of the plates 51, 52 that iscovered by the product 55. This mode of measuring capacitance change canallow for the sensing of stack heights and therefore the sensing of thedispensing of items from a stack. With reference to FIG. 23-26 there isshown a receptacle of the medical supply cabinet 1 where for example astack of salve wipes can be retained. This compartment may for examplebe located at receptacle 13. The wound cleaner or salve wipes maycomprise of individual wipes individually wrapped in a sealed wrap 62,the stack of such sealed wrapped wipes located inside a box 61. Whetherboxed or not the plurality of wraps 62 can be located in at thereceptacle 13 of the medical supplies cabinet. Stack height and hence acount of the number of wraps still remaining in the stack can beachieved by capacitor sensors that will now be described.

FIG. 24 illustrates a receptacle from which a stack of items can bedispensed. FIG. 21 shows a variation to the stack of FIG. 23 wherein thestack is enclosed in a box 61. The box 61 may be loaded into thereceptacle as shown in FIG. 21 or alternatively the items to bedispensed may be provided in the receptacle 64 in a stackedconfiguration as shown in FIG. 24. In the preferred form the items inthe stack are removed individually preferably from a slot at the bottomof the box 61. A receptacle of the medical supplies cabinet isconfigured to retain the one or more boxes 61. A capacitive sensor orcapacitive sensor arrangement is associated with the receptacle. In someexamples a plurality of capacitive sensors may be used. The capacitivesensor comprises a plurality of spaced apart sensing elements. In oneexemplary configuration one and preferably a plurality of capacitiveplates 65 are arranged at one side of the stack for example at side wall63 of the receptacle. On the opposed side wall 64 an opposed plate 68may be provided. The opposed plate 68 is preferably grounded.

The other plates may consist of an array of plates 65, the arrayextending in the direction of the stack height.

FIG. 26 illustrates provision of two boxes 61 a and 61 b at thereceptacle 66. The top box is a spare box, and when the bottom box runsout and is removed, then the top box drops down and is able to be openedand dispensed. As the top box only needs to be sensed, it does not needan array of capacitors or accurate sensing techniques to detect thespecific quantity of items within the box. Since the top box is a sparebox, just its presence needs to known which can be achieved by largersized capacitor plates as opposed to the array structure. Hence as shownin at least FIGS. 21 and 24, the upper capacitor plate of the array isof a larger size than the other capacitor plates.

When the system detects the top box has gone or been removed (now inbottom position), a replenishment request can be sent. In this way whennew stock arrives, there is always a place for it in the kit. Considerif only one box is able to be in the holder at one time, then either thenew box has to be stored elsewhere, or reordering has to be done when itruns out, leaving the kit uncompliant for the order fulfilment time. Thearray of capacitors allows individual uses to be noted for health andsafety reporting. The replenishment request may be an audible alarm or avisual alarm or an electronic message may be sent to a mobile device orcomputer of a technician or health and safety office or any othersuitable person, using a suitable communication module that may beintegrated into the medical supplies cabinet.

The plates may be any suitable metal such as aluminium or copper. In oneinstance the plates are preferably aluminium plates that are able to beadhered on to the inside of the wall or walls 63 and 64 of thereceptacle. The plates may be part of a printed circuit board.

Items may be stacked in the receptacle 66 in an individual manner or ina box such as the box 61. As more items are stacked up, the capacitancereading from the array increases. Addition or removal of items isrecorded by the change of capacitance.

The number of capacitors 65 in the array is tailored to the sensitivityof the capacitor array. More capacitors tends to mean they are smaller,in area and value, which is harder to measure accurately, as the straycapacitances to other objects cause noise on the signal. If a producthas a size of 1% the area of the ‘effective’ capacitor plate area, thenits presence in the capacitor may cause an approx. 1% change. If thecapacitor is divided into 10 separate capacitors, then the same producthas a 10% change for the capacitor it is detected within or for thecapacitor the product is placed within. As a rule of thumb approximatelyfive times the area of the product provides a good signal to noise ratioand helps in detecting small objects. The capacitors being arranged inan array configuration help to provide more accurate detection of theproducts that have a small cross sectional area such as for examplewound cleanser wipes. The array of capacitors also helps to detectproducts that have a small height dimension or are laid flat such aswound cleanser wipes, as compared to for example saline tubes. The arraystructure of the capacitors helps to reduce noise and false positivedetection for small sized products. But having bigger changes incapacitance to a product being removed.

In one extreme the array consists of one capacitor (two opposed plates)for all products in the receptacle. In another extreme there is onecapacitor for each product in the receptacle to be sensed.

The measurement principal (dielectric change i.e. dielectric value ordielectric constant change) allows for more accurate determination ofindividually removed or inserted items from the stack:

-   -   1. Where the array of sensors 65 together with the opposed plate        68 are provided, it is possible to focus on areas of the box.    -   2. Where the capacitive sensors (i.e. sensing elements or        sensing plates) can be on more than one side of the box to        detect situations where items are not dispensing correctly or if        the items in a box are misaligned.    -   3. Where the capacitive sensor has a ground plate 68        strategically focussed on opposite side from the capacitive pad        to increase sensitivity. The ground plane 68 being located on        the opposite side of the capacitive pad i.e. opposite to the        array of capacitive plates 65 focusses the electric field        through the product.

The configuration shown in FIGS. 21 to 27 comprises an additional guardplate (not illustrated) larger than the plate 65 may be positioned onthe other side of the PCB that supports the plates 65. Preferably theconfiguration comprises a plurality of guard plates, which are largerthan the plate 65. Preferably a plurality of guard plates may be used,wherein each guard plate is associated with a single plate from thearray of plates 65. The additional guard plate or plates have the samesignal i.e. same level of current or voltage or power applied to theadditional plate. Hence the capacitance between guard plate and thesensor (i.e. plate) 65 is 0. This focusses the electric field from eachsensor plate of the array of sensors 65 through the product.

For situation (1) above, the plate 68 is preferably a ground plate andhelps to focus the electrical field from the array of sensors 65 to theplate 68, thereby driving most of the electrical field through theproducts in the and improve electrical coupling via the electrical fieldbetween the sensors 65 and the ground plate 68. The electric field isstrongest between the ground plate 68 and the sensors 65. If the plate68 was not grounded then the electric field would disperse over longdistances to ground and may not pass through the product. Thearrangement of the sensor 65 and the plate 68, in particular the plate68 being ground improves sensitivity of the capacitive sensor (formed bysensors 65 and plate 68), and helps to ensure the electric field passesthrough the product.

For situation (2), the plurality of sensors are positioned at variouslocations on or in the receptacle, on more than one side of the box todetect a misalignment of items or incorrect dispensing. FIG. 23A showscutaway view of a box that shows wipes in an incorrect position. Thewipes are standing substantially vertically instead of being laid flatwithin the box 61. FIG. 23C shows the array of capacitive sensors 65arranged on the side wall 63 of the receptacle that receives and retainsthe box 61. The misaligned arrangement presents a large dielectric areadue to the orientation of the wipes. A large dielectric value resultsi.e. a higher dielectric constant thereby leading to an increasedcapacitance. This increase in capacitance is detected by a processorsince the capacitive sensors 65 generate a signal indicative of theincreased dielectric value. The increased dielectric value causes anoverestimation of the number of wipes. The receptacle 66 comprises extrabase capacitive plates 67 a and 67 b disposed in the base of thereceptacle 66. These extra base capacitive plates 67 a and 67 b cansense the number of wipes in the standing configuration or at leastalarm or send an alert that the medical items e.g. wipes in theillustrated example, are misaligned within the box 61. In theillustrated configuration of FIG. 23A the base plate 67 a would have ahigher dielectric i.e. a higher capacitance than base plate 67 b. Thereceptacle 66 may comprise more than two base plates associated with thebase of the receptacle. A plurality of base plates is preferably usedfor the same reasons as above with respect to improved signal to noiseratio.

Alternatively, the array of capacitor plates 65 may be arranged in asubstantially vertical arrangement in order to detect misalignment ordetect a vertical configuration of medical items.

The shape and configuration of the receptacle 66 is preferably such asto ensure that a box or the boxes are held in a constant position to thesensor, avoiding changes in signal level due to the movement of the boxand the holder. Therefore, the shape and configuration of the receptacleis designed to ensure that when a box of items is replaced, the new boxassumes the same condition and a consistent condition as required.

Metering of the change in capacitance may be achieved in many ways suchas by measuring the

-   -   1. Voltage of a sinusoidal voltage applied to an RC circuit,    -   2. A bridge circuit, or    -   3. Measuring the time to charge the capacitor (often compared        against time to charge a known capacitance).

Any one of these methods may be used in any one or more of thecapacitive measuring set ups as herein described.

Most of these methods require AC excitation signals, a number ofreferences, and ADC converters. Any suitable ADC converters can be used.Further any suitable interfacing circuitry can be used between thecapacitive sensors and a processor or microprocessor. The medicalsupplies cabinet also comprises a suitable signal conditioning circuitrythat acts on signals from the capacitive sensors. The signalconditioning circuitry is preferably a combination of hardware circuitelements and software modules e.g. filters.

There also exists a low cost highly integrated circuit such as amicrochip CAP-1298 device that could be used. Such a device has up toeight sensors. These devices measure a change in capacitance compared toa base value for changes in the environment. It is possible to use theseto measure the capacitance directly by reading out the base calibrationand counts of deviation from the base count. In this manner the absolutecapacitance can be obtained cheaply and easily with simple circuitry.

The medical supplies cabinet comprises a processor. The processor ispreferably a microprocessor and also includes a memory unit associatedwith the processor. The processor is preferably in electroniccommunication with the memory unit. The memory unit is a non transitorycomputer readable medium that stores executable instructions. Theprocessor configured to execute the stored instructions in order todetect an event e.g. detect the presence of one or more medical itemswithin the receptacles or the number of medical items in a package, orthe number of packages of medical items within the receptacle. Theprocessor also includes suitable bus circuitry and may also include awireless communications module allowing the processor to communicateover a telecommunications network e.g. 4G. Further the communicationsmodule may also be configured to allow the processor to send textmessages or other alerts to a suitable persons phone or send email.

FIG. 28A is representative of an example event detection algorithm 70that may be used. Referring to FIG. 28A the method of event detectionbegins at step 70A. At step 70A a signal from the capacitive sensor orcapacitive sensors are used. The signal may be a voltage value. At step70A the gradient (i.e. a rate of change) of the signal is determined.Step 70B comprises checking if the calculated gradient is greater than astart threshold. If the gradient of the signal from the capacitivesensor does not exceed a threshold, the method returns to step 70A. Step70A is preferably repeated i.e. the capacitive sensor signals aresampled regularly at a suitable sampling rate. A gradient exceeding thestart threshold indicates an event start i.e. interaction between a userand at least receptacle of the medical supplies cabinet. The startthreshold is preferably a predetermined or pre-defined threshold. Thethreshold may be stored in the memory unit. A plurality of startthresholds may be stored, wherein each start threshold may correspond toa particular type of medical item received within the receptacle. Aplurality of measures signals at step 70A are preferably stored in thememory unit. The memory unit may include temporary memory to function asa buffer, wherein the temporary memory unit may be any suitable type ofmemory, preferably a non-volatile memory or a solid-state memory unit.

If the gradient exceeds the threshold at step 70B, the method proceedsto step 70C. Step 70C comprises storing a start measurement. The startmeasurement is the measurement that exceeds the threshold. Step 70Dcomprises receiving a second (i.e. new) signal from the capacitivesensor or sensors. Preferably step 70D comprises determining a gradientbetween consecutive signal measurements. Step 70E comprises determiningif the gradient is less than an end threshold. If the gradient is lessthan the end threshold, then a timer is initialised at step 70F. If thegradient is not less than the end threshold, then the method returns tostep 70D. The gradient at step 70D being less than the end thresholddenotes the end of an event i.e. denotes no interaction between or anend of interaction between a user and at least one receptacle of themedical supplies cabinet.

Following step 70F, the method progresses to step 70G. Step 70Gcomprises determining if the timer has finished i.e. expired. The timeris considered as being finished when there is no change between twoconsecutive signal measurements, which denotes a steady state conditioni.e. no interaction between a user and the medical supplies cabinet orany receptacle therein.

If step 70G returns a no i.e. the sensor or sensors are not at steadystate, the method proceeds to step 70H. Step 70H may be a substantiallysimilar operation to that of step 70D. Step 70H comprises determiningthe gradient between two consecutive signal measurements. From step 70H,the method proceeds to step 70I that comprises determining if thecalculated gradient is below an end threshold. If the determinedgradient is less than an end threshold i.e. a yes is returned at step70I, the method progresses to step 70J. If a no is returned at step 70I,the method returns to step 70D. Step 70J comprises decrementing thetimer. Decrementing the timer reduces the amount of time of the timer,since the check at step 70I indicates that an event has ended. Once thetimer expires at step 70G, the method proceeds to step 70K. Step 70Kdenotes a steady state. Once the time expires, the processor isconfigured to store an end measurement.

The start and end thresholds are preferably predefined thresholds andcan be customised for different medical items. The thresholds may alsobe set or determined to allow detection a specific interaction e.g.removing a single eye pad or taking out an entire package of medicalitems. The thresholds may also be customised to account for sensorcharacteristics e.g. sensor drift or sensor noise.

FIG. 28B shows typical signals returned by a capacitive sensorassociated with a receptacle of the medical supplies cabinet. Theplateaus in FIG. 28B occurs after each item is taken from a stack ofitems (e.g. wraps) such as shown in FIGS. 21-27. The spikes are due toincreased capacitance as a user is taking a pack (which increases thecapacitance of the system because the user presents a large capacitanceto ground).

The X-axis is samples (i.e. time) the Y-axis relates to the capacitanceread between the two plates (the two opposed plates between which thestack of packs if provided).

The signal condition algorithm consists

-   -   1. A means to detect invalid capacitance readings and rejects        them (eg. Sample 13 seen in FIG. 28),    -   2. A median filter that selects the median of the proceeding n,        values as input to the next stage (where for example n is 3).        The median filter allows removal of single outlier readings due        to noise.    -   3. One or more exponential averaging or smoothing filter such as        seen at that averages the reading from the sensor and includes a        means to initialise the filter at the start of event detection,        that minimises the settling time. Exponential averaging filters        are used to reduce noise. In a preferred arrangement a fast        filter that reacts quickly to the signal, but gives adequate        noise suppression to minimise false event detection is used. In        addition a slow filter that provides adequate noise suppression        and improves the measurement accuracy is used. Both filters are        used in combination to provide a better signal quality to the        processor. The filters may be implemented using electronic        hardware or may be implemented as software filters as part of        the signal conditioning circuitry.

Each of the spikes in FIG. 28B represent an interaction with the medicalsupplies cabinet i.e. a user is taking a medical item or a package fromone of the receptacles. FIG. 28B is an exemplary plot of the capacitivesensor associated with a single receptacle. The processor of the medicalsupplies cabinet is configured to process multiple signals from multiplecapacitive sensors since a plurality of receptacles may have one or morecapacitive sensors associated with them. The method of FIG. 28A is usedto process the signals of the capacitive sensor and determine eventsoccurring e.g. each of the spikes. The method of FIG. 28A is used toidentify the start of the event i.e. the start of the spike and an endof an event, when the signal has reached a plateau i.e. steady state.The algorithm (i.e. method) of FIG. 28A is preferably executed regularlye.g. at the sampling rate of the sensors.

The algorithm measurement consists of:

-   -   1. The event start has a history buffer that selects a start        measurement (START cap-value) from Milliseconds before the event        start, where M is set to obtain a value of the proceeding static        state plateau before movement was detected.    -   2. An end measurement that selects the final settled value, (END        cap-value).    -   3. Determining of an absolute number of items, and the change in        number of items taken/restocked this event.    -   4. Application of rules that reduce errors if the rate of change        (i.e. gradient) of measured capacitance signals are inaccurate.

The algorithm is illustrated in FIG. 28A in more detail.

In one example the stock movement is calculated by subtracting the startmeasurement from the end measurement. Preferably the stock movement iscalculated based on a rate of change of the measurements i.e. the endmeasurement minus the start measurement divided by a nominal timeperiod. The length of the timer can relate to the length of theinteraction that can denote a plurality of items being removed or addedinto the receptacles. The rate of change of the measurements can denotethe number of items removed or added. A positive gradient can mean theaddition of items while the negative gradient can denote removal ofitems from a receptacle. The processor is further configured todetermine an absolute value of the end measurement of an absolute valueof the end value divided by time. The absolute value denotes orindicates a total number of items in a receptacle. The absolute value asdescribed is used as a reference check to filter out false positives orother noise. The processor may be configured to store a stock level foreach receptacle as a number or counter. The processor may be furtherconfigured to increment or decrement the stock level based on the eventdetected e.g. if an item removal is detected then the stock level isdecremented and similar for incrementing. The absolute value of thesensor signal is used as a check to reduce errors. The initial stocklevel may be entered at installation or may be re-entered every time areceptacle is stocked to a required level. Although not shown here theinitial stock level may be manually entered via an alphanumeric keypadassociated with the medical supplies cabinet. Alternatively, and morepreferably the processor may be configured to run a calibration stepwhere the capacitive sensor is configured to measure the contents of thereceptacle and may generate a signal indicative of the number of items.

Some example rules are:

-   -   A. Adjust the totals if the delta value i.e. gradient is greater        than an item threshold indicating an item was taken, but the        absolute value states the total is the same. This ensures an        event is reported.    -   B. When the total i.e. total stock level (which may be a running        total or counter) is decremented but the absolute value is        greater than a previous total, the total is not changed.    -   C. Similarly if the total is incremented but the absolute value        is less than the previous total, the total is not changed.    -   D. A change in the entire content of a receptacle e.g. for a        receptacle that can only hold one item, the stock counter may be        binary.

As seen from the rules above the absolute value acts as a check toensure that the event detected based on the delta i.e. gradient ofsensor signal actually relates to an item being removed or added. Theabsolute value is used to filter out noise and differentiate between anitem being taken or removed and noise. Preferably the absolute value isalso checked against a threshold. The thresholds described herein mayall be stored in the memory unit and accessed by the processor.

In a preferred form lighting is incorporated with or into the door panelof the medical supplies cabinet. This allows for a user to visuallyidentify the medical supplies cabinet from a distance in low lightconditions. Preferably the door 2 or each door 2, 3, is of a transparentmaterial that may be illuminated so that graphics printed or provided ona face of the panel can be back-lit and illuminated to show a sign suchas a first aid cross and/or the words “first aid” or similar.

Lighting as part of the cabinet may also be used to indicate the statusof the kit. For example a red light may indicate a push of the alertbutton 24, a blue light may indicate that there is a fault. Othercolours may be utilised to indicate different function statuses orconditions of the cabinet. Lighting may also be used in way to beswitched by door sensors via a processor that adjusts the light to whiteand correct ambient level to make seeing the products in the kit easierin poor lighting conditions.

Where the door has sensing, incorporated to sense the degree the door isopen (such as by using a capacitive pad and ground pad and a floatingmetal hinge on the door that bridges the two. In one arrangement thefloating metal is a spring used to hold the door open. The spring may besimilar to the spring that carries a sensing element e.g. a plate. At acertain position of the door being open and closed a photo may be takenby one of the cameras. In some instances the camera or cameras may betriggered when an event (i.e. interaction) between the door and the useris detected. Preferably the camera or cameras are triggered to recordduring such event.

The medical supplies cabinet and associated system can allow for asystem for management alert.

For example if the door that is jammed open this can be detected and analert sent to a person nearby.

Management alert is a feature to allow staff using or needing to use thecabinet to contact or message others of a serious medical event withouteffort. The alert button 24 is provided as part of the medical suppliescabinet for such purposes. For example for a lone worker in an isolatedbuilding the internet or cellular systems are not always reliable sofeedback to show success of an alert raised at the cabinet having beensent from the medical supplies cabinet to a remote location gives theworker the reassurance that an alert has been received and a responsemay be imminent. A light may be associated with the button to indicatethat the medical supplies cabinet is connected to the internet.

When pressed the alert button can send an alert such as via SMS or emailor other messaging means to an off-side location where for example amanager or first aider or ambulance staff may be prompted to respond.The response may be by way of a reply via a speaker to the medicalsupplies cabinet. A microphone may also be provided so that acommunications channel can be established between a remotely locatedexpert or assistant and a person that may be attending the scene of anaccident and who has pressed the button 24. There may be processing inthe cloud for the purposes of monitoring the status of the SMS and sendsback sent, received, read signals that may be displayed on the medicalsupplies cabinet to let the user know that their alert has been heard.

In some receptacles medical supplies may be provided, the dispensing ofwhich is better sensed by a load sensing arrangement (i.e. a forcesensing arrangement) to an application of a peak force such as a tugforce or a change in force during the dispensing of such items. FIGS. 30to 37 describe arrangements where load sensors can be used to determinetug force of objects e.g. plasters. The load sensors (i.e. forcesensors) may be load cells or other sensors that detect at least anaxial force e.g. a tug or a depression. FIG. 35 shows an exemplary loadcell and its electrical leads.

Referring to FIGS. 30 to 33, there is shown an exemplary receptacle 81.The plasters 83 are loaded within the receptacle 81. The receptacle 81is preferably defined by a plurality of walls and a dispensing openingpresented toward a lower portion of the receptacle 81. FIG. 33 shows aclose up view of the internal arrangement of the load sensor 85, thecard 82 and the plaster 83 within the receptacle. FIG. 33 is a close upview of the region B in FIG. 32.

The plasters 83 are preferably stacked within the receptacle 81. Forexample, plasters 83 may be provided in a stacked configuration as seenin stapled to a card 82 at the end of such plasters. Alternatively, theplasters 83 may be stacked horizontally or stacked horizontally within aholder that can be placed into the receptacle.

The weight of each plaster wrap is small compared to the total weight ofthe pack so supplied. The plasters may be secured in the receptacle bythe use of a holder, but preferably due to gravity. Plasters may bepresented in a fanned manner and at the fanned region 84 are presentedto the external of the medical supplies cabinet to allow a person tograb a plaster and pull the plaster from the pack.

FIG. 32 shows a configuration of a receptacle where multiple plasterpacks comprising multiple plasters are provided in the receptacle 81.The load sensing arrangement is configured to detect the presence ofboth plaster packs. The upper plaster pack may be a spare plaster pack.FIG. 36 shows a configuration where there are a plurality of spareplaster packs. The presence of the plaster packs can be detected bycapacitive sensing or optical sensing, as described herein.

Determining when an item such as a plaster is taken from the pack isachieved by measuring the force applied to the plaster when it istugged. The plasters are arranged so that the cards 82 press down on aload sensor 85. FIG. 34 shows an illustration of a card arrangement suchthat a portion of the card presses down on the load sensor. The loadsensor may be a load cell i.e. a force sensing resistor 85. The loadsensing arrangement may include a plurality of load sensors (i.e. forcesensors) arranged in a suitable configuration. For example, the loadsensors may be arranged such that:

-   -   a. A single force sensing resistor is placed in the middle of        the card (or receptacle),    -   b. Two forces sensing resistors, one at each end of the card (or        receptacle) or more than two spaced evenly across the width of        the card (or receptacle),    -   c. One that is shaped to span the entire width of the card (or        receptacle).        -   The force may be measured:    -   a. With a common voltage divider where one resistor is fixed and        the other varies based on the force.    -   b. By op-amp circuits that applies a base bias across the        resistor.    -   c. By comparison under a threshold to detect a tug (where the        threshold could be via a comparator, a Schmidt trigger or        similar).    -   d. Using an ADC and detection determined by a software        algorithm.

The load sensor is arranged in a suitable configuration and may becoupled to suitable interfacing electrical circuitry that allows forceto be measured using one of the above stated principles. Specifically,the load sensors generate a signal that is indicative of a force appliedto the force sensor. The signal generated by the load sensors isindicative of an item being removed from the receptacle by applying aforce, e.g. at least a single axis force or an axial force. Theprocessor is configured to process the signal and determine the numberof items taken.

The signals from the load sensors are converted to a digital signal byan analogue to digital converter (ADC). The ADC may be arranged as partof the interfacing circuitry. Where the force is measured by theprocessor (or maybe the ADC having suitable processing capabilities) atug corresponding to the removal of an item is determined by one of:

-   -   1. The static force is compared to the force during a tug. The        difference between tug and static force must exceed a threshold        to be a valid tug.    -   2. The slope of the pull force (S pull) and release (S release)        forces are measured. A tug (S tug) has a sharper release force        than a pull.    -   3. Therefore, false positives can be eliminated by measuring the        forces during a tug and rejecting those where the release force        slope is not sharp enough as seen in FIG. 37.

The processor is configured to determine whether a tug i.e. an axialload from a user corresponds to the removal of a medical item, in theillustrated embodiment a plaster. The processor may be configured todecrement a stock counter. The processor may determine the number ofitems removed or dispensed by the number of tugs detected. Each tug maybe detected as a discrete tug that corresponds to a plaster beingremoved. The use of the load sensors allows almost real timedetermination of the plaster usage and also allows determination ifthere is enough stock of plasters in the receptacle.

As shown in FIGS. 30 and 33 the receptacle 81 may also include one ormore capacitive sensors 86 disposed on a wall of the receptacle.Preferably the capacitive sensors 86 are electrically conductive plates.The plates 86 may be configured to measure the presence of each of theplaster packs. The capacitive sensors 86 may also include a ground plateassociated with the front wall of the receptacle. The presence of bothplaster packs changes the dielectric value between the plates 86 orbetween each plate 86 and an opposing ground plate. The dielectric valuecorresponds to a capacitance value. The sensors 86 generate a signalthat is indicative of either one plaster pack or both plaster packsbeing located in the receptacle. The principle is similar to theoperation of the capacitive sensors described in FIGS. 21 to 26.

Capacitive sensing can be used in combination with load sensing in orderto keep a track of the stock small, high use items such as plasters. Theload sensors allow detection of single item e.g. each single plasterwhile the capacitive sensors can allow detection of spare plasters beinglocated within the receptacle. In a further configuration an opticalsensing arrangement may also be implemented. In particular a coloursensing arrangement (described in more detail below) may be used inreceptacle 81 in order to determine the types of plasters used in thereceptacles.

The camera or cameras associated with the medical supplies cabinet maybe activated if the door is opened and begin recording interactions ofpersons with the various medical supplies in the cabinet 1. The cameraact as a theft deterrent. In one example the sensing of a tug force orthe pulling of a plaster may cause the camera to focus recording on thatparticular receptacle. Similarly, if other medical items are detected asbeing used by the capacitive sensor/sensors the camera may focus on thatreceptacle or receptacles. The processor may be configured to store therecorded video from the camera onto the memory unit, providing thememory is a suitable memory unit.

In a preferred form several variations of optical sensing may beutilised or also be utilised by the medical supplies cabinet 1. Themedical supplies cabinet 1 may use a number of different types ofoptical sensing arrangements to perform a number of different types ofdetection of one or more medical supplies or detection of one or morepacks containing medical supplies.

One problem that can occur is where several different products of thesame dimension i.e. same size and shape can fit into a receptacle of themedical supplies cabinet. This can occur since the medical suppliescabinet may include a plurality of similar sized and shaped receptaclesthat may be general purpose receptacles for retaining any packscontaining medical supplies. Further the situation described can occur,in use, where multiple users may use the medical supplies cabinet 1, andsome users may misplace or purposely put various packs containingmedical supplies into the wrong receptacles or randomly put the packsinto any receptacle (e.g. the easiest to access receptacle). It is notreasonable to expect users to adhere to the specific positionrequirements for the packs within the designated receptacles, especiallywhen the receptacles may all be similar in size and shape.

This can cause issues for the next user as the next user may pick thewrong pack or has to search around for a desired pack containing medicalsupplies. The misplacement of packs within receptacles can also causeissues with stocktaking of medical supplies within the medical suppliescabinet 1. In some instances of use the stock within the medicalsupplies cabinet is essential and can be a regulatory requirement.

The optical sensing arrangements are preferably disposed at one or moreof the receptacles of the medical supplies cabinet 1, and may be used toaddress one or more of the problems mentioned above.

Optical sensing arrangement may be configured to operate using anysuitable optical sensing format for example, colour sensing, visiblelight sensing, ultraviolet (UV) sensing, infrared (IR) sensing or lasersensing. Alternatively, any other suitable optical sensing format can beused in the medical supplies cabinet 1.

The optical sensing arrangements are used to determine:

-   -   1. the type (i.e. identity) of pack containing medical supplies    -   2. the number of packs containing medical supplies within a        receptacle    -   3. the state of a pack containing medical supplies within a        receptacle, for example if the pack has been tampered with    -   4. the expiration date or if medical supplies (i.e. medical        items) are expired based on the colour of the packaging.

Exemplary optical sensing arrangements will be described with referenceto the figures.

FIG. 38A-38E show a plurality of receptacles of the medical suppliescabinet 1. The receptacles can be used to retain a number of differentpacks containing medical supplies or various types of medical supplies.FIG. 38A shows a portion of the medical supplies cabinet 1. The medicalsupplies cabinet 1 can be provided with a plurality of receptacles toreceive and hold a number of different types of medical supplies orpacks including medical supplies. As seen in FIG. 38A-38E, the portionof the medical supplies cabinet 1 includes four receptacles 91, 92, 93,94. The receptacles 91-94 may be identical to each other in shape. Thereceptacles are preferably defined by a pair of opposed vertical walls95, 96 that are spaced apart from each other. The vertical walls 95, 96are substantially parallel to each other and extend the length of thefour receptacles 91-94.

The receptacles may also be defined by a plurality of horizontal wallsthat extend between the vertical walls 95, 96. As shown in FIGS. 38A,38B and 38C the receptacles may be defined by five horizontal walls 97,98, 99, 100, 101. Walls 97 and 101 may be considered top and bottombounding walls, and walls 98-100 are dividing walls that divide eachreceptacle. Each of the horizontal walls 97-101 may act as shelves toretain one or more packs that include medical supplies. The receptaclesare preferably closed by a rear wall 102. The rear wall 102 extendsvertically and is preferably arranged at right angles to the twovertical walls 95, 96. Preferably the portion of the cabinet includes acontinuous rear wall 102 that extends across all of the receptacles91-94. The rear wall is termed the rear wall because it is at the rearof the cabinet meaning furthest away from the user.

Each of the four receptacles 91-94 may include an optical sensingarrangement 110. The optical sensing arrangement 110 may be used todetermine the type of pack within a receptacle 91-94. The opticalsensing arrangement 110 comprises at least one light emitter 111 and oneor more colour detectors 112 (i.e. colour sensors). The colour detectorsmay be any suitable optical sensors configured to detect colour. In oneexample the one or more colour detectors 112 may be configured to detectRed, Green and Blue (R, G, B) colours from received light. One exampleof an optical sensor may be the AMS TCS3472 colour detector. It shouldbe understood any suitable optical sensor or photodetector can be used.

FIGS. 38D and 38E show an exemplary arrangement of a plurality ofoptical sensing arrangements, each optical sensing arrangement may bearranged within a receptacle 91-94. Each receptacle may comprise of apair of optical sensing arrangements. As shown in FIG. 38A and FIG. 38D,each receptacle may include a pair of optical sensing arrangements 110 aand 110 b, and each optical sensing arrangement may include a lightemitter 111 and one or more colour detectors 112. Referring to FIG. 38D,the first receptacle 91 may include a pair of optical sensingarrangements 110 a, 110 b. The second receptacle 92 may include opticalsensing arrangement 110 c, 110 d. The receptacle 93 may comprise ofoptical sensing arrangements 110 e, 110 f. The receptacle 94 may includeoptical sensing arrangements 110 g, 110 h. One of the optical sensingarrangements may be positioned toward an upper end of a receptacle andthe other optical sensing arrangement may be spaced away and positionedtoward a lower end of the receptacle.

Each package or box of medical items (e.g. eye pads or gel pads or othermedical supplies) may have a sticker with two different colour on eachend. The described arrangement of the optical sensing arrangementsallows such a box to be detected regardless of the orientation the boxof medical items is put into a receptacle.

In one example each optical sensing arrangement may comprise a pair oflight emitters 111 and a pair of colour detectors 112. These may bedisposed on a single chip or integrated circuit. Preferably the sensingarrangements are located toward the front of each receptacle i.e. towardthe opening of the receptacle in order to be able to detect medicalitems or packages that may not be pushed toward the back of thereceptacle. Other arrangements to maximise detectability arecontemplated.

Each optical sensing arrangement 110 may comprise a emitter and at leastone colour detector formed as an IC or an PCB. In one example theoptical sensing arrangements may be located only on one vertical wall,however either colour detectors or both an emitter and colour detectorpair may be disposed on both vertical walls.

FIG. 38D shows a printed circuit board (PCB) 130 that is preferablysubstantially rectangular in shape however other shapes are alsocontemplated. The PCB 130 may be attached or coupled to at least onevertical wall. As shown in FIG. 38B the PCB 130 is attached or coupledto the vertical wall 96. The PCB 130 may be formed from any suitablematerials.

Each receptacle 91-94 may include one or more light sensors locatedwithin the receptacle. As shown in FIG. 38C each receptacle may includefive light sensors 121, 122, 123, 124 and 125. The light sensors 121-125may be arranged as a linear array on a rear wall 102. Alternatively, thelight sensors 121-125 may be arranged in any other suitableconfiguration such as for example a pair of rows or a rectangularconfiguration on the rear wall 102. The light sensors 121-125 may beconfigured to detect ambient light and in particular are configured todetect the intensity of the ambient light.

The optical sensing arrangement 110 and its components may be preferablyin electrical communication with the processor (not shown). Theprocessor may function as a controller and may be the same processor.The processor may operate a suitable operating system e.g. raspberry pi.The processor is configured to process signals from the light sensors121-125 and the colour detectors 112. The processor may also beconfigured to control activation of the light emitter 111 based on thedetected ambient light at the light sensors 121-125. The processor mayalso control activation of the light emitter 111 based on one or morecolours detected at the colour detectors. In one example the sensors121-125 consist of a photo-diode and trans-impedance amplifier. Theoutput of the amplifier is saturated, such that when light is presentedit is at one voltage rail and when no light is presented, the output ofthe amplifier routed to ground. In this manner the processor can readthe signals as a digital signal.

The optical sensing arrangement 110 may be used to detect the type ofpack containing medical supplies positioned in one of the receptacles91-94. One manner of detecting the presence of a pack or packs withinthe receptacle is based on the level of light detected at the lightsensors 121-125. The light sensors 121-125 measuring light below a lightthreshold (e.g. ambient light threshold) denotes that the light sensorsare being covered due to the presence of a pack or packs containingmedical supplies within the receptacle. The light detected by the lightsensors 121-125 may be ambient light or light emitted from the cabinete.g. from the door lighting. The presence of a pack is detected in thereceptacle when the light sensors 121-125 measure a light less than aminimum light threshold.

The light detected by the light sensors 121-125 is compared to athreshold. The thresholds may include at least two thresholds a coveredthreshold and an uncovered threshold. The thresholds may be establishedby calibration measurements. In one example the contents may only bemeasured when the door is closed. The system may also be configured tofunction in real time i.e. when the door is open as well, the changes inlight are only acted on if they persist.

The light emitters 110 a-110 h may be used to provide ambient light(when no product is present in the receptacle). The light in the doormay also function as ambient light. The light sensors and the colourdetectors 112 can be used in combination with each other to provide moreaccurate sensing and additional information. For example, the lightsensors can be used to determine the number of items in a receptacle orthe amount of the receptacle volume that is occupied, while the colourdetectors can identify the specific product or products (i.e. medicalsupplies or medical items or packaged containing medical items) withinthe receptacle. In one example the light sensors and the colourdetectors act simultaneously. Alternatively, one detecting the presenceof an item or addition or removal of an item may trigger the other toactivate.

Light is emitted from the light emitter 111 which may be an LED. Thelight emitted by the emitter 111 is preferably white light. The lightemitter 111 may be activated to emit light onto a pack when the lightsensors 121-125 detect light less than a light threshold, (i.e. when apack is detected within the receptacle). The light emitter emits lightthat may be shone onto the pack or packs within the receptacle. Thelight emitter 111 may constantly emit light of a predeterminedintensity. Alternatively, the light emitter 111 may be pulsed to emitpulses of light. The light emitter 111 operation is preferablycontrolled by the processor.

The colour detectors 112 may be used to detect a colour of the packwithin the receptacle. The type of receptacle is identified based on thecolour of the pack, wherein the colour of the pack may be detected basedon the reflected light received at the colour detectors 112. Thedetected colour that is reflected from the pack preferably correspondsto the colour of the pack. The processor may include a database or alook up table or a record of the various types of packs that can beplaced into a receptacle and their corresponding colour. The processormay be configured to identify the type of pack of medical supplies basedon the colour of the pack based on the colour detected by the colourdetectors 112.

For example, wound cleaner pack may have a red colour, an eye pad packmay have a blue colour and so on. Different packs of medical suppliesmay have different coloured packaging or wrapping. The colour detectionof the pack allows automatic detection of the type of pack placed at areceptacle. Alternatively, each pack may include a coloured end portion.For example, the two ends of each pack may have a colour portion or acolour region that can be identified by the colour detectors 112 basedon the reflected light sensed by the colour detectors. The pack may beidentified based on a predetermined list that correlates colours to thetype of pack containing medical supplies.

More details of an exemplary colour detection method are describedbelow. The colour detectors 112 preferably return a red, green and blue.The colour detectors may also detect all light (clear light). Clearlight is optional and coloured lights may also be used. Clear light canbe used to determine the presence of an item in a receptacle and can beuseful to discriminate sheen i.e. not just colour reflection but howmuch light is reflected. This can provide an additional measure todistinguish medical supplies from other foreign objects. The processormay access stored relationships, stored within memory, that denote thespectral reflection (i.e. sheen) of medical item packages. This allowsthe processor to distinguish the medical item from other items thatcould be placed in to the receptacle.

The processor may be configured to determine the R, G, B distance from asample colour. The sample colour may be determined from the labels onthe packs and stored in software e.g. in a database or in a look uptable. A sample colour may be stored for each colour detector within areceptacle and used for calculating the distances for that detector forthe detected colour. The measured sample is defined as R_(M) G_(M)B_(M). The distance is calculated by the formula:D ²=(R _(S) −R _(M))²+(G _(S) −G _(M))²+(B _(S) −B _(M))²

The distance is calculated for all the colours being searched for(currently red, green, blue and optionally white). The minimum distancemay be dynamically set. Alternatively, the minimum distance may bepredetermined. Preferably the minimum distance may be chosen as thecolour is detected. D² can be used as it is monotonic, or a square rootmay be taken to determine D. For each receptacle two colours arepreferably chosen, and tested to see if it's a valid pairing. The validpairing is not found the receptacle is deemed occupied by a foreignobject and no product is reported in the receptacle. An alert may beraised. This may be by way of the status light as herein beforedescribed.

Alternatively, it is also possible to reject (i.e. determine no pack inthe receptacle) based on the value of D, generally a match is <<100, anda non-match >>100, hence by rejecting the minimums >100, rejection offoreign objects is possible. If no minimum is less than 100, we rejectany match and assume a foreign object. It is possible to look at theminimum distance of valid pairs and select the most valid pair. Thishelps when two colours have a similar minimum distance. The valuesprovided above are exemplary values only and can be changed depending onthe type of colour detectors used, the number of light sensors or colourdetectors and the type of products.

In one example initially, with no light emitted, the light intensity ofthe clear light emitter can be measured. If the light sensor is coveredthe reading at the light sensor is almost 0. If uncovered the reading isgreater than 0, due to ambient light too or the door light if there isno other sunlight or artificial lights. This allows determination ofwhich light sensors are covered. The processor is configured to activatethe LEDs for only receptacles that detect the light sensors are covered.

In a further configuration the processor may detect the presence andtype of a pack by using the two described methods in combination. Forexample, the presence of a pack may be determined based on the level oflight detected by the light sensors 121-125. The amount of lightdetected by the light detectors may be averaged. Once the presence of apack is detected, the light emitter may be activated to generate light.The light from the light emitter will be reflected by the coloured pack,and the reflected light will be detected by the colour detectors 112.The processor may be configured to detect the type of the pack based onthe colour of the reflected light.

The type of pack of medical supplies may also be detected based on thecolour of reflected light and the amount or intensity of the reflectedlight. For example, the type of pack may be determined based on thecolour of the reflected light and if the reflected light is above apredetermined light intensity threshold. The processor may include oneor more look up tables or a database stored within the processor, oraccessible by the processor to determine the type of pack. The processormay also be configured to determine or identify a pack of medicalsupplies (i.e. a medical item) based on the intensity of light or theintensity of reflected colours i.e. based on the lux. Some packs thatare matte or have a sheen reflect differently. Wavelengths of light i.e.colours also have varying reflection properties. The processor may beconfigured to identify the type of medical item (i.e. pack of medicalsupplies) based on the intensity of the reflected light or the intensityof reflected colours.

In an alternative form, the processor may be configured to control theintensity of the lights in the cabinet door, and the colour detectors112 may be configured to detect the colour of a pack within thereceptacle based on the colour of the door reflected light. For example,lights in the cabinet door may be pulsed or activated to a predeterminedthreshold for a period of time such that the colour detectors 112 candetect the colour of the pack. The processor may be configured to detectthe type of the pack based on the colour of the reflected light.

In an alternative configuration the optical sensing arrangementcomprises a single light emitter and a plurality of colour detectors.For example, in this alternative configuration a light emitter andcolour detector is located near an upper end of the receptacle, and aplurality of colour detectors located at a lower end of the receptacle.The arrangement of colour detectors and the light emitter and colourdetector may be switched around so that the plurality of colourdetectors is positioned near the upper end of the receptacle. In afurther alternative configuration each receptacle may include a singleoptical sensing arrangement that comprises a single light emitter and aplurality of spaced apart colour detectors. For example, a pluralitye.g. 3 to 5 colour detectors may be located along one or more both ofthe vertical walls 95, 96.

FIG. 39 shows another configuration of an optical sensing arrangement140 for a receptacle 150. The optical sensing arrangement 140 maycomprise a single light sensor and a plurality of light emitters, e.g.three light emitters 141, 142, 143. The light emitters' 141-143 eachhave a single light sensor 145. The colour is determined using R, G andB emitters 141-143 and may also include a white light emitter. Thecoloured emitters 141-143 may be switched on sequentially. The lightsensor 145 may be configured to detect the presence of a pack 160containing medical supplies or a medical product in the receptacle 150.The light sensor 145 may provide light information to the processor. Theprocessor may be configured to determine R, G and B components from thelight information from the light sensor 145. The processor may beconfigured to use the method of measuring the R, G, B distance from asample colour, as described earlier.

FIG. 40 shows a further configuration of the optical sensing arrangement170. The optical sensing arrangement 170 may be similar to the opticalsensing arrangement 140 shown in FIG. 39, wherein the optical sensingarrangement 140 comprises three emitters 141, 142 and 143. The opticalsensing arrangement 170 may include a plurality of light guides 171, 172or pipes that configured to guide light to each receptacle. The lightguides also include a central light guide 173 extending from the lightemitters 141-143. Each receptacle 150, 151 may include a correspondinglight sensor 180, 181. Each receptacle 150, 151 includes an opening 175,176 for introducing of the light guides 171, 172 into each receptacle.The light sensor 180, 181 is located adjacent the opening in eachreceptacle. The light sensors 180, 181 may be any suitable opticalsensor. The light sensors in some examples be a photodiode or photodiodeand trans-impedance amplifier IC or a phototransistor or a photoresistor. The light sensors may be structured to reject infrared lightwhich may improve sensor performance and reduce noise. The lightemitters are preferably sequenced so that only a single light emitter isactivated at one time. The light sensors 180, 181 may be colour sensors.In a further example it may also be possible to have light emitters thatemit a series of colours the light sensors may be used to match thecolour based on the intensity of the detected colour.

FIG. 41 shows a further configuration of an optical sensing arrangementused to detect the presence and/or type of a pack containing medicalsupplies within a receptacle of the cabinet of medical supplies 1.Referring to FIG. 41, there is shown a cross section of a receptacle200. A product 202 e.g. a pack containing medical supplies is locatedwithin the receptacle 200. The receptacle 200 may include an opticalsensing arrangement 210 located within the receptacle. The opticalsensing arrangement 210 comprises a light emitter 211 and a lightdetector 212. Alternatively, a plurality of light detectors 212 may beused. The light emitter 211 may be a light emitting diode e.g. an LED.The wall of the receptacle 200 includes an opening 204 within it. Theoptical sensing arrangement 210 may be mounted on a PCB 220 and may bepositioned to align with the opening 204 within the receptacle 200. Thelight emitter 211 may be configured to transmit a light to illuminatethe product within the receptacle 200, as denoted by arrow T. Thereflected light may be received by the light detector 212, and isdenoted by arrow R.

The light detector 212 is preferably a photodiode but may be aphoto-transistor or a photo resistor or any other suitable colour sensor(which includes filters and photodiodes). Photodiodes provide a cheaperconstruction. The light detector 212 is selected to be sensitive to aparticular wavelength e.g. Infrared (IR) to allow use of ambient light.The light emitter 211 may be coded i.e. switched on and off in apredetermined sequence to allow filtering and discrimination ofinterference infrared IR sources. The processor may further read thelight sensor output and detect the presence of the sequence in thesensed light or colour to filter noise. This could be output crosscorrelation to the input in order to identify the signal and filternoise.

Alternatively, the type of product e.g. pack of medical supplies in thereceptacle is detected based on the colour of the reflected light, forexample using the colour distance method described earlier. The lightemitter 211 and the light detector 212 are preferably positionedsufficiently close enough to each other to ensure the light reflectedfrom a product, reflects on to the light detector 212 with enoughintensity such that the light detector 212 can detect the colour of thereflected light.

As described earlier the receptacle may include a plurality of lightsensors disposed along a rear wall of the receptacle. The opticalsensing arrangement and/or the light sensors can be used to determinethe number of products within the receptacle. FIGS. 42a, 42b and 42cshows a cross section of a receptacle 220. The receptacle includes fivelight sensors 221, 222, 223, 224 and 225. The light sensors may beconfigured to measure ambient light or other light e.g. light from thecabinet door. The light sensors 221-225 may be configured to measure theintensity of the light, for example. The light sensors 221-225 may bearranged in a suitable configuration such that at least one light sensoris covered when a pack of medical supplies or a medical product ispositioned within the receptacle 220. The arrangement of the lightsensors 221-225 may be used to determine the number of products in thereceptacle.

Referring to FIG. 42a there are shown three products A, B, C within thereceptacle 220. As shown in FIG. 42a the products 230 may cover all thelight sensors 221-225. If all the light sensors are covered this candenote the receptacle is full. The presence of products in thereceptacle can be confirmed using capacitive sensing arrangements ofcapacitive methods described earlier. The product 230 is a product orpack that does not occupy the entire receptacle.

FIG. 42c shows a single product 230 or pack in the receptacle 220. Whentwo or fewer adjacent light sensors are covered, the processor isconfigured to identify that a single pack or product is positioned inthe receptacle.

FIG. 42b shows two items e.g. packs containing medical supplies arelocated in the receptacle 220. If two or more light sensors but lessthan four light sensors are covered, and in the case of just two lightsensors being covered they are non-adjacent and the processor may beconfigured to detect the presence of two products in the receptacle 220.

As discussed earlier optical sensing can be used for tamper detection ofa pack containing medical supplies or a medical product within areceptacle. FIGS. 43a and 43b show an exemplary product 300, for examplecould be a box of tape or swabs or any other suitable medical productfor use in the medical storage cabinet 1. The packaging of products maybe such that two or more different coloured regions are located on endsof the product. The coloured regions are positioned adjacent the opticalsensing arrangement 110 or 210 of the receptacle. Alternatively, thepackage may include a coloured strip or any other suitable shapedcoloured region. The size of the coloured region should be large enoughthat it at least partly covers a colour detector in order to allowdetection.

As shown in FIG. 43a , an outer packaging of the product includes a red310 and a blue rectangle 312 at one end. When the outer packaging isremoved the inner packaging reveals different coloured ends, as shown inFIG. 43b . As per FIG. 43b , the product has a red rectangle 310 but nowincludes a green rectangle 314 (denoted by the hatch lines) instead ofthe blue rectangle. The change in rectangle can be detected. Theprocessor may include a list or database or table of required coloursi.e. colours that should be detected when a product is placed in thereceptacle. The processor may send an alarm if the required colours orrequired colour combination is not detected. The processor may alsoinclude a list or table or database of colours that indicate tampering.If any of the tampering colours are detected the processor may denotetampering or alarm or send a visual or audio message or send a textmessage or email to an administrator. In another example medicalproducts may have a single coloured external packaging and a differentcoloured internal packaging. If the external colour is not detected whenthe product is detected in the receptacle, an alarm can be raised.

Generally, the detection of at least two colours avoids false positives.The colours are chosen not to be found in any of the other products inthe medical supplies cabinet. Preferably each different type of medicalitem or medical pack is coloured with its own unique combination of twocolours. In addition to tamper proof the proposed configuration alsoallows if a package has been opened. For example in a resuscitation kit,which has three items, a user (e.g. a first aider) may open it and useone and put the rest back. The system can detect that the resuscitationkit has been opened due to the change in the colours of the openedpackage.

In another example different batches of products have different coloursto detect expiry dates. For example products from a batch having a firstexpiry date may be of a first colour and a batch of a second expiry datemay be of a second colour.

In some configurations of the medical supplies cabinet 1, one or morereceptacles 7 may include a plurality of sensing arrangements that worktogether to provide improved accuracy when sensing. In one example areceptacle 7 may include a combination of both an optical sensingarrangement and a capacitive sensing arrangement as described above. Theoptical sensing arrangement may be like any optical sensing arrangementdescribed earlier. In one example one or more receptacles may comprise aplurality of light sensors on a rear wall, one or more colour detectorson a side wall and a light emitter to emit either white light orcoloured lights. The capacitive sensing arrangement may include one ormore conductive plates that may be active plates i.e. are coupled to apower source disposed within the medical supplies cabinet. The powersource may be mains supply or a battery. Preferably the power source isa combination of mains power with a battery backup. The current suppliedto the capacitive sensor sensing elements (i.e. the plates of thecapacitive sensor) may be an alternating current.

In one example, a combination of optical sensing and capacitive sensingcan be used to determine a number of packs of medical supplies in areceptacle and also detect or count the medical supplies being dispensedfrom the box. The light sensors on the rear wall can be used todetermine the number of packs or boxes in a receptacle similar to themethod described with reference to FIG. 42a-42c . The number of packs orboxes in a receptacle can be determined based on the number of lightsensors that do not detect light. The detected light may be ambientlight or light from the door or from another light source that shineslight into the receptacle from the door toward the rear wall (i.e.toward the light sensors). Once the number of packs or boxes has beendetected, the capacitive sensing arrangement can be used to detect thedispensing of items e.g. medical supplies, from the pack. The dispensingof items can be detected based on a change in capacitance due to theitems being taken out of the pack. This combination of capacitivesensing and light sensing is particularly useful in in sensing thenumber of total packs and the number of items in each pack for a varietyof medical supplies e.g. in particular for salve wipes and burn gelsachets or dressing packs. These products often come in small packs ofmultiple items.

Optical sensing arrangement that use colour sensing can also be used incombination with capacitive sensing arrangements to detect the type ofpacks or boxes of medical supplies in a receptacle and the number ofitems left or number of items used from each pack. The type of pack canbe identified, in one example, based on the colour of the packaging orcolour of the pack. The optical sensing arrangement preferably includesat least a light emitter and one or more colour detectors. The colourdetectors are configured to detect the colour of the pack located in thereceptacle and identify the pack based on the colour. An optical sensingarrangement and identification method similar to that described withreference to FIGS. 38A to 41 may be used to identify the type of pack orbox of medical supplies. A capacitive sensing arrangement similar tothat described earlier can be used to determine the number of itemsdispensed from each pack or box of medical supplies.

In a further form, one or more receptacles may be configured to includean optical sensing arrangement that includes colour sensors, lightsensors and at least one light emitter in combination with a capacitivesensing arrangement. In this form, the processor may be configured todetect the number of packs in the receptacle based on which lightsensors sense light and the type of packs based on the detected colourand the number of items dispensed from the pack using the change indielectric constant for the capacitive sensors. In this manner all threesensing methods are used. Such a combination of sensing methods can beused in receptacles that are of a similar dimension that are configuredfor retaining any type of pack including medical supplies. The use of acombination of sensors for one or more receptacles allows for animproved sensing arrangement that can provide additional informationsuch as sensing individual item usage, knowledge of total stock forreplenishment and also allows for user agnostic functioning of themedical supplies cabinet i.e. is not reliant on the user placing thecorrect product in the correct receptacle in the correct orientation.The use of one or more of the sensing arrangements and the use of acombination of sensing arrangements is advantageous because it can helpto reduce the cost of medical supplies (i.e. by keep a track of thenumber being used), improves workplace safety, and allows the cabinet 1to autonomously maintain compliance with any safety standards orrequirements.

The capacitive sensing can be used in combination with the coloursensing and/or light sensing described herein. In one configuration atleast one (preferably multiple) receptacles may include one or morecapacitive sensors and one or more light or colour/colours. Preferablyat least some receptacles include the light sensors, colour detectorsand one or more types of colour sensors described earlier. Thecapacitive sensor configuration can be like any one or moreconfigurations described herein.

One example implementation of a receptacle that includes colour andcapacitive sensing will be described. The processor is configured toreceive a signal from the capacitive sensors and determine thereceptacle that generates a signal indicative of a high capacitance i.e.wherein the capacitance exceeds a threshold. For example this can be dueto placing gel pads in a gel pad receptacle. The light intensity in thereceptacle is determined from the output of the colour detectors e.g.colour detectors 112, when the LEDs 111 are off. If the detected lightintensity is less than a threshold i.e. denoting a product is within thereceptacle, the LEDs 111 may be switched on. The readings from thecolour detectors 112 or the light sensors 121-125 may be measured. Thesensor readings may be multiplexed to reduce power draw. The colour ofthe package may be identified based on the RGB distance describedearlier. The colour can of the item in the receptacle can be detectedfor each colour detector in the receptacle. The colour detected by thepair of colour detectors for the receptacle is compared to a list ofknown colour pairs or known colours e.g. a database of colours toidentify a match. The type of product (i.e. product identity) isdetermined based on the colour match. The capacitive sensors can then beused to determine if the medical product i.e. medical item is removedfrom the receptacle or another one is added. Further the capacitivesensor arrangement may be used to determine each individual item used ifa pack of items is identified based on the colour sensing.

The capacitive sensing and colour sensing provide complementary benefitsin automatically identifying the presence of an item within areceptacle, identifying the type of item and then identifying (i.e.tracking) if the item is removed or a new item is added or theconsumption of specific items. The detection of a product by capacitivesensing may trigger the colour sensing. Similarly, if a product isdetected based on the light sensors, the capacitive sensing and coloursensing may be triggered. The use of a combination of colour andcapacitive sensing allows for a wide variety of products to beautomatically detected. Further the use of both sensing mechanismsallows for automatic identification of the type of product, the numberof products and the consumption of products. This helps to automate thestock-take process as well as helps to automatically manage stock withinthe medical supplies cabinet.

FIGS. 44 and 45 show methods of colour detection. FIG. 44 shows a method400 of using colour detection to determine the type of pack or productin a receptacle. The method may be implemented by a processor of thecabinet 1. The method commences at step 402. At step 402 a door closureis detected. Once the door is detected as closed, the method may proceedto step 404. Step 404 may comprise scanning the colour detectors e.g.112, 212. Step 406 the processor may be configured to determine thereceptacles with products located within them. Step 408 comprisesdetermining the receptacles that include products within them, for thereceptacles that do not have a high dielectric i.e. wherein thedielectric does not exceed a threshold. The presence of a product can bedetermined based on the reading from the plurality of light sensors.Step 410 comprises switching on the light emitters 111 or 211 on in thereceptacles within which have products detected within them to scancolour. Step 412 may comprise determining the type of product within areceptacle based on the colour detected by the colour detectors 112,212. The detection of colour can be by the method described earlier.

The method 400 may optionally include additional steps 414 and 416. Step414 comprises scanning the capacitor sensors i.e. capacitive sensingplates to determine the ones with high dielectric constants. Theprocessor is configured to perform this scan regularly at any suitablesampling frequency. Preferably this scan is conducted every few secondsor milliseconds such that the processor can detect any changes in thereceptacles quickly and respond appropriately. For example, this isuseful in detecting the number of wipes used when the door to themedical supplies cabinet is opened.

Step 416 comprises the processor determining the number of each item ina receptacle for the receptacles that are detected with a highdielectric. The number of items in a receptacle may be identified basedon the number of light sensors that are covered, as described earlierwith respect to FIG. 42a-42c . Alternatively another suitable capacitiveor optical method may be used. This combination of capacitive and lightand/or colour sensing provides for an improved medical supplies cabinet1.

For some receptacles, only capacitive sensing arrangements may be used.For other receptacles, only colour sensing arrangements may be used. Forsome additional receptacles, both the colour and capacitive sensingarrangements are required to be used. The use of the sensors can betailored depending on the type of medical products i.e. medical itemsbeing used in the medical supplies cabinet.

The use of both capacitive in combination with colour sensing, may allowfor a reduced number of colour sensors to be used. This can provide costsavings, provide more accurate detection of medical items and reduce thenumber of different colour combinations required.

FIG. 45 shows a method 420 of determining the number of products in areceptacle using one or more light sensors within the receptacles. FIG.44 may be implemented by the processor of the cabinet 1. The methodcommences at step 422. Step 422 comprises detecting a door of thecabinet being closed using a suitable door closure sensing method e.g. acapacitive sensing method. Step 424 comprises scanning all the sensorsin the cabinet. Step 426 comprises determining the receptacles thatinclude products within them using either the light detectors orcapacitive sensors or a combination thereof. Step 428 comprises usingthe colour detection method for products that completely occupy thespace within a receptacle. The colour detection method may be the onedescribed earlier e.g. with reference to FIG. 44. Step 430 comprisesdetermining the number of products within the receptacle using a lightdetectors on the rear wall, as described earlier e.g. with reference toFIGS. 42a to 42 c.

The methods described in FIGS. 44 and 45 are preferably stored ascomputer readable and executable instructions with the memory unitassociated with the processor. The processor is configured to read theinstructions and execute at least one of the methods described withreference to FIGS. 44 and 45. The method 420, shown in FIG. 45, is analternative method to method 400 shown in FIG. 44.

Colour detection is included as a means to detect the particular type ofproduct i.e. identify the medical item or medical product placed into areceptacle, when the receptacle includes a product within it. The coloursensing helps to identify the number and identity of the product (i.e.medical item). For example, if 3 of the light sensors are covered in areceptacle, the colour sensing can help distinguish if there are 3 smallitems or one large item based on the colour detection.

The capacitive sensor(s) and optical sensing arrangements are alsoadvantageous because they provide a contactless sensing mechanism tosense medical items in the cabinet. The sensors allow automation ofsensing items within the cabinet. Further at least the capacitivesensor(s) and the optical sensing arrangements are tailored for sensingmedical items.

The medical supplies cabinet may include one or more environmentalsensors associated with the medical supplies cabinet. The environmentalsensors are configured to detect one or more environmental parameters toprovide an indication of the environmental condition within the localenvironment of where the medical supplies cabinet is used. Theenvironmental sensors may be any one or more of temperature, humidity,CO2 or other gases sensors. Preferably at least a temperature andhumidity sensor are used with medical supplies cabinet in order todetect temperature and humidity levels. The processor is configured toprocess the signals from the environmental sensors and may generate analarm or alert or provide a message to an appropriate person (e.g. ahealth and safety officer) if the measured temperature or humidityexceeds an upper threshold or drops below a lower threshold. The use ofthe environmental sensors can allow a user to determine conditions e.g.working conditions if the medical supplies cabinet is used in an officeor restaurant or other place. The information from the environmentalsensors can also allow an assessment of comfort levels e.g. for staffwithin a work environment. The output from the environmental sensors mayalso be processed by the processor to determine the type of medicalsupplies that may need to be stocked in the medical supplies cabinet.For example for high temperature environments additional burn gels orother such products may be needed to be stocked. The environment sensordata may also be processed to determine if any environmental changesneed to be made for example switch on air conditioning or increaseheating in order for comfort.

One or more components and functions illustrated in the figures may bere-arranged and/or combined into a single component or embodied inseveral components without departing from the scope of the invention.Additional elements or components may also be added without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Various combinations of the describedsensors or sensing arrangements herein are also contemplated.Additionally, features described herein may be implemented in software,hardware and/or a combination thereof. The processor as described mayinclude a combination of hardware, software and firmware modules. Theprocessor and its associated components may be implemented or performedby a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic components, discrete gatesor transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combinationthereof design to perform the functions or methods described herein. Thememory unit may be any suitable storage memory e.g. read only memory,random access memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storagemediums, flash memory or other machine non transitory machine readablemediums.

In addition to and/or alternative to using capacitive sensing for thepresence and/or consumption levels of stock in a receptacle, ElectronicIdentification (EID) sensing of packs may occur. EID (such as by way ofRFID tags) that may be incorporated with packs can allow for packinformation, location and/or orientation to be determined using an EIDsensor/reader or readers. Such sensors are preferably incorporated aspart of the medical supplies cabinet of the present invention and/or maybe a reader or readers used remote from the cabinet such as a handheldRFID reader.

RFID tags may be placed or located on/in packs to detect the presence ofthe pack in a receptacle of the cabinet. Other information may also besensed such as information about the product contained in the pack suchas expiry date related information that may be loaded on or able to bedecoded from the RFID. The RFID tag 520 may be located on a wall of thepack such as seen in FIG. 47. It may be located on the back of a pack563 so that when the pack is loaded into a receptacle, the RFID tag 520is proximate an RFID reader 560 of the receptacle 561 as seen in FIG.53. The tags are preferably passive, in that they are excited by thereader, and then transmit back to the reader.

The RFID sensor 560 may be located on a forward-facing wall 565 withinthe receptacle 561. It may be possible to use one RFID reader for allreceptacles of the cabinet that may receive an RFID tag carrying pack.It may be desirable to use multiple RFID readers, preferable one foreach pack to be read. It is desirable to reduce the number of readers ofthe cabinet to help cost. It may hence be possible to use one reader andto utilise multiplexing between many antennas.

In a situation where packs are placed in an incorrect receptacle orother location in the cabinet, be it by mistake or on purpose, EID maybe used to detect this. The use of EID can help the cabinet todistinguish between packs. This can be important as it may not bereasonable to expect users of the kit to adhere to operatinginstructions and place the correct packs in specific positions in thecabinet.

To help detect the correct pack being loaded and/or positioned in thecorrect location of the cabinet, in one example, RFID tags may be placedon or otherwise incorporated with the pack. The RFID tag may indicateproduct related information, and in particular the type of productcarried in/by the pack. Other information such as expiry date relatedinformation may also be carried or otherwise readable from the tag. Theproduct related information may be information of the product stored bythe tag or it may be a code or sensable signal of the tag that isrelatable to product information stored on a remote database such as onan EID reader and/or central database that the cabinet is able tocommunicate with. An EID reader such as an RFID reader of the housing ofthe cabinet may be used to read product information off the tag's uniqueID.

The EID sensor may be comprised of a reader antenna 566. The readerantenna may be located in a receptacle of the cabinet whereas otherparts of the sensor may be located remote from the receptacle butpreferably still with and within the cabinet.

It is envisaged that for a single cabinet, multiple reader antennas 566a-d may be used for one reader 560. This can help reduce cost. This canbe seen in FIG. 54. This can allow for one reader to connect to multiplereader antennas such as one for each of a plurality of receptacles 561a-d of the cabinet. The connection of multiple reader antennas as partof the reader may be by antennas in parallel, or via a switch. Anantenna of a multiple antenna system may be used to focus on onereceptacle only to sense for a pack or a plurality of packs in or beingloaded into that receptacle.

As an example, one reader may be used where the location sensing of apack is not that important. As a further example a reader could be usedper receptacle which may receive multiple tags.

As a further example, one reader may be used per pack where the order ofpacks is important, i.e. wound cleanser, or plasters, where the bottompacket is being emptied and it's desirable to know how empty it is.

For example, one reader may be used to cycle over up to 16 antennas.Such cycling may not be in order, or not all antennas are cycled throughevery cycle. For example, when the door of the cabinet is open, thesystem may cycle through the antennas where we need to know the order ofthe boxes, e.g. wound cleaners, sanitary wipes, burn-gel sachet, andplasters. By cycling through these is may be possible to detect when abox is added and removed and work out the order. When the door is closedwe look at the other boxes to detect changes, then go silent withsensing until the door opens again.

In one form the EID system herein described may be used to sense packorientation. This may be by way of sensing for correct orientationand/or incorrect orientation. If correct and/or incorrect orientation isdetected by the EID system, an alarm or notification may be made. Thismay be made at the cabinet itself or to e remote device (e.g. a mobilephone that the person loading the device may have), visible or audibleto the person loading the cabinet, so that they can be made to realiseof incorrect and/or correct loading. The notification may also bedigitally recorded at the cabinet and/or transmitted/reported remote ofthe cabinet, such as to a central server.

For example, and as seen in FIG. 54 a receptacle 561 b may have a readerantenna located at the bottom left corner of the receptacle, whenlooking into the receptacle. A pack to be received in receptacle mayhave an RFID tag located at the bottom right corner of the back face ofthe pack. When the pack is loaded into the receptacle correctly the RFIDtag and reader antenna end up being positioned adjacent each other andthe RFID reading can be made. This can then indicate a loading of a packin the correct orientation (such as by sounding a confirmatory messageor a showing of a green light) and the RFID tag may also optionally haveinformation/signal read by the reader or for confirmation that thecorrect pack has been loaded into the receptacle. Whilst in some formsthe antenna/reader for a receptacle may be able to sense tags inlocations less proximal to the location of a tag of a pack in thecorrect orientation, the sensor can distinguish between a correctlyoriented pack and incorrectly oriented back due to sensed signalstrength. A pack correctly oriented may have a much stronger sensedsignal strength due to closer proximity of the tag and the antenna thanan incorrectly oriented pack.

To determine incorrect loading orientation of the correct and/or thepack being incorrect pack, the receptacle may use additional EID readerantenna positioned in the receptacle and/or a capacitive sensor asherein described.

1. Where a capacitive sensor is used, the sensor may detect that anobject has been inserted into the receptacle. If the EID tag is not alsoable to be read by the reader antenna, because of incorrect loadingorientation of the pack, then there may be an indication of a loading ofthe pack in an incorrect orientation (such as by sounding a negativemessage or a showing of a red light). This may then result in the personreloading the pack a different orientation and potentially/eventually inthe correct orientation. If the pack is the incorrect pack, the EID tagmay never be sensed (if there even is an EID tag on the product) or theEID tag may be sensed and read as being of the incorrect product and/orlapsed expiry date.

2. Where additional EID antennas 566E and 566F are used in a receptacle561E, as see in FIG. 55, a pack 563 E can have EID tags in differentlocations to detect correct or incorrect loading. A first EID tag 520 Emay be positioned at the top centre and another EID tag 520F at thebottom centre, as shown in FIG. 56.

It is envisaged that the received signal strength from multiple antennascan be used to triangulate where a product is in the cabinet.

For example, with reference to FIG. 57A. Three readers R1, R2, R3 canall receive signals from tags T1, T2, T3 with differing strengths, ie R1and T2 have a strong coupling and R2 and T2 have a weak coupling. Byutilising pre-measured coupling strengths and performing a best fit ofactual strengths sensed, the position of the tags T1, T2 and T3 can beuniquely estimated. This figure shows three products occupying threebins, but it can be appreciated there may be multiple products in eachbin.

FIG. 57B shows a cross section of a reader antenna.

To aid in correct pack loading and optionally also with correctorientation loading, colour(s) on the pack can be used for matching tocolour(s) of the receptacle or at a receptacle entrance.

The packs and the cabinet's faceplate 567 surrounding a pack or packs ina receptacle 561 can be colour (568A/B) matched as see in FIGS. 55 and56. For example an eye wash pack may be generally of a blue colour orinclude a region that is blue (e.g. its back side). The receptacleand/or receptacle entrance that the eyewash pack is to be loaded intomay also be coloured the same. A pack may have a coloured region 568B ata particular portion that may correspond to a matching colour 568A at aparticular portion of the receptacle or receptacle entrance. This canhelp identify not just which receptacle the pack is to be loaded intobut also the correct orientation by virtue of the two portions needingto be aligned when loading the pack in. For example, a back face of abox shaped pack, may have a yellow colour along its base line. Thereceptacle to receive the box shaped pack may have a yellow strip alongthe bottom of the entrance opening or the bottom face of the receptacleitself. This colour matching will help identify where packaging shouldbe loaded. This can help improve time to identify product based oncolour coding. It may create a visible indication of product inincorrect location. This may be tied with the additional EID sensingherein described, to electronically sense that product is in the correctlocation. I.e. the colour matching is to aid the user get the productinto the right receptacle and/or the right orientation. EID sensing isprovided to verify and/or notify of correct or incorrect loading.

The present invention can also allow for a sensing of used packsdistinct from unused packs. This may be achieved by the use of EID,colour region or capacitive sensing or a combination of such.

Detecting when a pack has been tampered/opened within the cabinet can bedesirable. Detecting whether a pack has been tampered/opened with canalso be desirable. If for example a user takes a pack out of the cabinetand then re-inserts the pack, there is a risk that the pack may havebeen altered (e.g. the content of the pack has changed or sterility ofthe pack has been affected. It is desirable for the cabinet to identifythis condition change and report it so that there is an ability for itbe remedied.

As can be seen in FIG. 46, a sensor 514 is attached to a removable oropenable cover 515 that covers an opening of a pack 516 that containsproduct 517. Then the cover 515 is removed from the pack to allow accessto the product 517, the sensor is also removed from the pack.

The sensor's removal can be detected by the cabinet or remote from thecabinet by a reader. The sensor may for example be an RFID tag and anRFID reader of the cabinet can be used to detect of the tag is presentor not on a pack that is loaded into a receptacle of the cabinet.

In another embodiment as seen in FIGS. 48 and 49, a sensor 521 may beused that is partially attached to the cover of the pack and partiallyto the body of the pack. When the cover of the pack is removed as seenin FIG. 49, the sensor is damaged and/or split into two parts 523,522.This change in condition of the sensor is able to be detected by asensor reader (ie it may be a different reading to a reading taken ifthe sensor was intact) of the cabinet so help indicate that the pack hasbeen opened.

Examples of a cover 515 that may be used to could be a sticker, wrap,and a rip removable tab built into the package.

As can be seen in FIG. 47, two RFID tags may be used on a pack, one ofthe body and one on the cover. RFID tag 518 may get removed or damagedwhen the cover is removed/opened to determine if the pack has beentampered with or opened and the other RFID 220 remains on package socabinet can identify what the pack is, as earlier described.

The system may use a database which knows that tags 518 and 520 are orshould be, on the pack to be loaded into the correct receptacle of thecabinet.

The cover 702 over the opening of the box 700 may in addition oralternatively have two or more different colours over a sensor (such assensor 710 of FIG. 59). For example, the cover strip 702 may be adifferent colour to the box 700 surface, allowing the detection ofpackaging that has been opened or tampered with. The strip 702 may bewhite whereas the box may be green. When the white strip 702 is removedthe colour detector 710 can detect green (701) rather than white. Alight source 711 may be provided to assist in colour detection.

It is also envisaged that different batches of boxes may be made to havedifferent colours to detect expiry dates of the packs. FIG. 60 shows areceptacle 732 with three boxes of product 731 a, 731 b, 731 c stackedin it. Coloured dots 743 a, 743 b, 743 c indicate an expiry period, issay two years' time. When it is time to send out new products adifferent colour is on the box. The customer can remove and dispose ofold boxes and see that the ones loaded are the correct non-expiredcolour. FIG. 61 is a side cross sectional view of a receptacle with 4packages loaded 731 a-d, each having its own RFID tag T1-4 each able topresent to an antenna 748 of a reader.

In another arrangement as seen in FIGS. 50-52, the cover 526 over/at theopening of the pack may have a capacitive pad. Indeed, two capacitivepads may be provided on the one pack. One capacitive pad 525 is able tobe removed or damaged when cover 526 is removed to determine if the packhas been tampered with or opened and the other capacitive pad 527remains on pack so that the cabinet can identify what the package is.

Where one capacitive pad 528 only is on the pack it may be applied tothe cover in a manner so that when the cover is removed to gain accessto product a section of capacitive pad 530 is removed resulting in thesensor getting a different reading from the remaining capacitive pad529.

The cabinet is able to be design, configured and manufactured for a setof products. It is realised that over time, suppliers of products maymake product changes such a changes to the shape of their packs.Likewise new health and safety regulations may mean that different oradditional product may need to be carried by the cabinet. Such changesmay require the reconfiguration of the cabinet as well as reprogrammingof the system. To facilitate this, the receptacles of the cabinet may bearranged as module(s) that clip in and clip out. New modules may besupplied to end users as and when required and may then be able to bereplaced on site. The end user may use a supplied tool to release theclips, and can then remove the module(s), and replace the old ones withnew module(s). A software/firmware upgrade can be conducted remotely oralternatively the new modules may come with antenna and/or capacitivesensors configured appropriately to allow the new modules to plug andplay.

It is envisaged that the arrangement, instead of using electricalconnectors, a or each module may be powered inductively andcommunication may be wireless to a central processor such a mastermicrocontroller of the cabinet. The wireless communication may be overthe inductive link, or use other common wireless methods, such asbluetooth or near-field-communications. Wireless powering andcommunications allows the communications and power needs of the moduleto be flexible and future proofed.

In one arrangement the receptacles may contain a RFID sensor fordetecting products, and this reader can emulate a RFID tag, theconnection to the main cabinet is made by periodically putting themodules reader in emulation mode and a second reader on the main cabinetreads the modules data. This may be helpful for modularity of thecabinet where we need an RFID that is not physically attached to themain electronics (it's only useful where the module is powered somehow).The non-attached RFID reader could be on a module in the cabinet or veryclose to the cabinet. For example, dispenser may be added and this maybe achieved via Bluetooth or a RFID reader just adjacent to the maincabinet. Using RFID readers in main reduces cost (eg of Bluetooth). Afurther example may arise where a complex module in provided in thecabinet. To help future proof it, a wireless connection may beestablished so that when it reconfigures it does not expose anyelectrical connections making module swap easily done by unskilledpeople. This also gives flexibility in design as connections do not haveto be exact.

In a further aspect the at least the cabinet body front outline and doorare preferably symmetrical such that by rotating the cabinet about ahorizontal axis by 180 degrees, a left or right opening door can beachieved.

As described above with reference to FIG. 3A, the cabinet system mayinclude only one door. A two door cabinet system such as the one shownin FIGS. 1-3 may require two cameras given that a user may be to oneside of the door and easily be missed in the photo. Utilising one doorcabinet system that opens sideways and only by a certain angle (e.g. 150degrees) reduces the risk of missing a photo of a user being taken. In apreferred form, on opening of the door, a series of photos arepreferably taken. The photo chosen to report from the series, can bechosen by:

(a) facial recognition to choose a photo that captures the person(s)best and maybe compresses the photo based on where the faces are.Identifies the person(s) using the kit and adds this information to thereports, or

(b) timed to be between the door starting to open and fully open. Thismay help avoid the situation where a user only slowly opens the door anda fixed time camera gets the door in the photo, or the user is familiarwith the cabinet and rapidly takes the product before a photo can betaken.

An unbreakable power supply may be built into cabinet to help thecabinet stay alive in a power-off situation with intelligence that turnslights off incrementally to make power last longer.

Cyber security is important to stop a cabinet being utilised fornefarious purposes. To help combat this the software may use standardprevention techniques. To aid security knowing the kit has been openedallows the system to detect an attack and the kit can be isolated orcleaned of any unwanted software.

Another preferred feature of the present invention, to address that someitems in a compartment, such as eyepads, gauze wipes, and dressings, maynot have inherent physical parameters that can be accurately sensed withhigh reliability, is to have one or more RFIDs on each item. MultipleRFIDs can be sensed by one antenna, so that several of these items canbe placed in one compartment, giving a cost advantage. By carefularrangement of the RFID tags on each item, the possibility of two RFIDtags cancelling each other is reduced.

FIGS. 70 A-C show two products (701, 702) such as packs for a triangularbandage each having two RFID tags. The first product 701 has two RFIDtags 701A, 701B and the second product 702 has two RFID tags 702A, 702B.When the products 701, 702 are placed in one compartment in theorientation as shown in FIG. 70B, the two RFID tags 701A, 701B of thefirst product 701 are separated from the two RFID tags 702A, 702B of thesecond product 702. Hence, all RFID tags can be sensed by an antenna andcan be read. The database operatively connected to such system will knowwhich products have two tags, and which two tags they are, and thusknows if all four are read and that there are only two products.

However, when the two products 701, 702 are placed in one compartment inthe orientation as shown in FIG. 70C, so that the RFID tag 701A of thefirst product 701 is in contact or in close proximity with the RFID tag702B of the second product 702, those two tags 701A and 702B mayinterfere/cancel each other in which case those two RFID tags 701A,702Bwill not be sensed by the antenna. However, since the other two RFIDtags 701B,702A are still separated from each other, those RFID tags701B, 702A will not interfere or cancel each other and hence can stillbe sensed by the antenna and can still be read.

If in case, the first product 701 only had one RFID tag 701A and thesecond product 702 only had one RFID tag 702A and if those two RFID tags701A,702A where in contact or within very close proximity to each other,then such RFID tags 701A, 702A are likely to interfere or cancel eachother which case, neither of the RFID tags 701A, 702A will be sensed bythe antenna and therefore will not be read. Therefore, it can beappreciated why having at least two RFID tags in a specific orientationin each product/item is preferred over having only one RFID tag on eachproduct/item.

Optionally dividers are used to separate each item, the dividers make itdifficult to insert a larger object (e.g. a bandage) in these slots.

To reduce cost one antenna can be placed between two or more suchcompartments and used to detect the objects in each compartment. Ifmultiple compartments are covered by more than one antenna, the RSSI ofeach antenna can be used to triangulate the location of the product todetermine where in the cabinet the item has been placed.

In some instances, additional and/or distributed storage capacity may bedesirable, e.g. eyewash or plaster receptacles, which in large premisesmay be dotted around the premise. For these situations a separatestorage cabinet or module remote from the cabinet may be provided thatmay be in communication with the cabinet using for example Bluetoothcommunication protocol. The use of Bluetooth and low power sensingallows the remote module to be powered by small replaceable batteries,e.g. coin cells. The remote module may monitor the state of the batteryand initiate instructions to a person to change the batteries. Thesatellite-modules would include proximity sensing (e.g. capacitive pads,IR sensor, or similar) to detect use; take the processor (in thesatellite-module) out of a low-power mode and monitor for changes usingany one of the sensing methods herein described.

The cabinet may also have an audio and/or visual communication meanssuch as speaker system that may play information about an item or itemsin the cabinet. This may play when requested or upon being triggered. Arequest for this information can be handled by one of the followingways. In one arrangement RFID tags may be located on the packaging of anitem. The location of the RFID tag can be communicated to the end userby the use of a coloured dot or similar label. The user then places thepackage ‘dot first’ towards a readout panel, that has an RFID reader.When the cabinet scans the RFID tag, the audio can play pre-recordedproduct information or can fetch additional information from a databasesuch as expiry date information. The cabinet will then play theappropriate audio and will notify the end user if the item has expired.Recordings can be updated periodically from a master database in thecloud. The Information can also be made available by a user with a NFCcapable phone that can scan the product and the phone retrieves theinformation. Where the reader is in the cabinet, the cabinet could sendthe audio or data to a recipient's phone or tablet that had previouslybeen registered in a database, or is connected via a Bluetooth link orsimilar wireless/Near Field Communications (NFC) technology, e.g. WIFI.Instead of audio, a visual communication of information may occur, suchas by way of an LCD screen.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 62-68. To help prevent the wrongitem or package 805 being placed into a receptacle 804 of the cabinet800, the cabinet may include an EID reader such as an RFID reader 802having a reading zone 802 a, that is able to cause a door or lockmechanism 803 to be activated or deactivated that can prevent the wrongproduct being placed in a receptacle. A package may contain an RFID tag801A which is sensed by the RFID Reader of the cabinet as seen in FIGS.62-64. The package may be scanned external of the cabinet and may thenbe validated or rejected. A door/lock mechanism which may control ifproduct can be placed into the bin may be used. An RFID reader may checkif a product is being placed in the correct location. If a user attemptsto place the incorrect product or product that has been used (e.g. emptybox) into a receptacle, the door/lock mechanism can prevent productbeing so placed. If the RFID reader confirms it is the correct productthe door/lock mechanism will allow product to be placed in a receptacle.As seen in FIGS. 65-67 a cabinet may include a single RFID reader 808that allows a user to scan a package containing an RFID tag 809 in closeproximity to this reader. The RFID reader can then determine whereproduct should be located and open the correct door 810 where productshould be located, or the main door. Once product is confirmed to be incorrect location the cabinet can be closed. This system could use othersensing methods such as barcodes, QR codes, colour, etc. As seen in FIG.68, a light 812 may be used to indicate where product should be loaded.The light colour may change if product is loaded into incorrectlocation.

If it is desired to know the order of packs in a stack it is possible todo so. This could be achieved by having individual antenna's focused oneach box (either with their own reader circuit, or multiplexed to onereader circuit), or one antenna shaped so that the received signalstrength varies with box height. Two such antenna designs are presentedbelow.

It will be appreciated that the EID information reading as hereindescribed may be used together with capacitive sensing herein described.This can allow the device to determine:

-   -   (a) the level of content in each pack, by use of capacitive        sensing,    -   (b) if an empty (or partially used) pack is placed back in a        receptacle, because the capacitance reading is different from        reading when the pack is full,    -   (c) when individual items in a pack are used, by use of        capacitive sensing    -   (d) if a pack is open or opened, by use of EID sensing    -   (e) if a pack is in the right or wrong receptacle, by use of EID        sensing,    -   (f) if a pack is in the wrong orientation in a receptacle, by        use of the EID sensing.

FIGS. 69A-69C show an example configuration of a capacitive sensingarrangements on a printed circuit board for scissor/tweezer sensing. Thepads 691 and 692 form part of a printed circuit board.

The first pad 691 are second pad 692 function similar to fixedcapacitive plates 37 and 38 as described above with reference to FIGS. 7and 8. The second pad 692 is an active pad i.e. charged pad that receivea current and the first pad 691 is grounded. The first and second pads691, 692 are preferably electrically conductive and made from a suitablematerial e.g. a metal and are preferably provided on the same plane asshown in FIG. 69A. FIG. 69B shows how the metal scissors and tweezerscan bridge the second pad 692 which is the active pad to the first pad691 which is the ground pad. Preferably, signal guard 693 may have asame potential as second pad 692 and therefore no capacitance in thatdirection.

When the scissor and/or tweezer are present, they contact the two pads691, 692 and when the scissors and/or tweezers are removed, they do notcontact the pads 691, 692. Similar to how electric field lines andcapacitance changes depending upon the movement of metal plate 35 inFIGS. 7 and 8, the electric field lines and capacitance are larger withthe scissors and/or tweezers contact(s) the two fixed pads 691, 692, andthe electric field lines and capacitance are smaller when the scissorand/or tweezers is/are removed and therefore is/are longer in contactwith two fixed pads 691, 692. With such arrangement, the presence orremoval of the scissors and/or tweezers can be detected.

FIG. 69C shows how a cover part 695, which is preferably made from aplastic, is configured to cover the printed circuit board arrangement.The cover part 695 has cut outs/receptacles of shapes (and preferablyalso sizes) corresponding to those of the scissors and tweezers in orderto ensure that scissors and tweezers are always placed correctly.

In FIG. 67A, mounting holes 696 are shown. The mounting holes may mountmagnets in order to assist that the scissors and tweezers that are madeout of a magnetic material are held in place when positioned inside thereceptacle as shown in FIG. 69C.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way ofexample only and modifications may be made thereto without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A medical supplies cabinet comprising: ahousing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there isprovided a plurality of medical supplies receptacles, the receptacleeach being of a shape and configuration to be able to at least partlyreceive and hold at least one medical item: a plurality of sensorsassociated with the receptacle, the sensors configured to generatesignals indicative of the presence and/or absence or removal of themedical item(s) in/from respective receptacles; and a door, the doorpivotably connected to the housing and the door being moveable betweenan open position corresponding to the medical supplies storage zonebeing exposed for interaction by a user and a closed position where thedoor covers the medical supplies storage zone thereby preventinginteraction by the user, wherein the housing includes a camera to make arecording of a view facing away from the medical supplies storage zone,and the door includes a mirror that is located to reflect a view of atleast part of the medical supplies storage zone to the camera when thedoor is near its closed position such that the medical supplies storagezone is recordable by the camera when the door is near its closedposition, wherein at least one of the receptacles is defined by a pairof parallel, spaced apart vertical walls and at least a base wall, acapacitive sensor disposed on or within the receptacle, and thecapacitive sensor comprises a pair of sensing elements, wherein eachsensing element is disposed on, adjacent or within one of the verticalwalls such that the sensing elements are substantially parallel to eachother and spaced apart from each other, wherein the capacitive sensor isone of the plurality of sensors and is configured to generate a signalindicative of the presence or number of medical items located in thereceptacle between the pair of sensing elements, wherein medical itemsof at least two different kinds are each associated with differentlyconfigured RFID tags, and wherein an RFID tag reader is provided for atleast one of the receptacles, the RFID tag reader being one of theplurality of sensors and arranged and configured to read the RFID tagsand determine at least one of the following: if a correct medical itemis located at the respective receptacle, orientation of the medicalitem(s) when in the respective receptacle, and information carried bythe RFID tag(s).
 2. The medical supplies cabinet as claimed in claim 1,wherein the receptacles are discrete, at least two of the receptaclesbeing of a shape to receive different said medical items.
 3. The medicalsupplies cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor isconfigured to sense the addition or removal of the medical item(s) toand from the respective receptacle.
 4. The medical supplies cabinet asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the signal indicative of the presence of themedical item at the respective receptacle is proportional to thecapacitance value of the capacitive sensor or a change in thecapacitance of the capacitive sensor.
 5. The medical supplies cabinet asclaimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the receptacles is shapedand configured to receive at least one of said medical item(s) or apackage including a plurality of the medical items, where said medicalitem(s) are able to be individually removed from and/or added to therespective receptacle or the package at the respective receptacle, thesensor being associated with the respective receptacle and configured toprovide a signal indicative of one or more of: size of the package,number of medical items in the package or number of medical items in therespective receptacle, number of medical items removed from or added tothe package, medical item(s) removed from or added to the respectivereceptacle, and orientation of medical item(s) in the respectivereceptacle.
 6. The medical supplies cabinet as claimed in claim 1,wherein the plurality of sensors are each able to sense between at leastone of: presence and absence of the medical item(s) at the respectivereceptacle, presence of the correct medical item and medical incorrectitem at the respective receptacle, and correct orientation and incorrectorientation of the medical item(s) or pack containing a plurality ofsaid medical items at the respective receptacle.
 7. The medical suppliescabinet as claimed in claim 1, comprising an optical sensing arrangementassociated with at least one of the receptacles of the medical suppliescabinet, the optical sensing arrangement configured to generate a signalindicative of an identity or number of medical items within therespective receptacle or the state of the medical items(s) within therespective receptacle.
 8. The medical supplies cabinet as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is a loadsensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the medical item(s)being removed from the respective receptacle by an application of aforce.
 9. The medical supplies cabinet as claimed in claim 1, comprisinga processor to receive information from the plurality of sensors, theprocessor being configured to determine one or more of: number of totalmedical items in the respective receptacles, types of medical items inthe respective receptacles, number of medical items added to therespective receptacles, number of medical items removed from therespective receptacles, and orientation of one or more medical items inthe respective receptacles.
 10. The medical supplies cabinet as claimedclaim 1 wherein at least one of the receptacles is of a shape andconfiguration to encourage the user to put only the medical items orpack containing at least one of said medical items in the respectivereceptacle by a matching of the same and configuration of the respectivereceptacle to the shape and configuration of the medical item(s) or packcontaining at least one said medical item.
 11. A method of reportingstock levels in the receptacles of the medical supplies cabinet asclaimed in claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: receiving thesignal(s) from the sensor(s) associated with the respective receptacle,and processing the received signal(s) to determine the presence orabsence or introduction/removal of the medical item(s) from therespective receptacle; wherein the presence or absence orintroduction/removal of the medical item(s) from the respectivereceptacle is based on a sensible characteristic or identification thatis of or associated with the medical item(s).
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the sensible characteristic is of the weight of the medicalitem(s).
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the or one of the signal(s)is from the capacitive sensor associated with the respective receptacle,wherein said processing of the received signal to determine the presenceor absence or introduction/removal of the medical item(s) from therespective receptacle is based on identifying at least one of: adielectric value and/or change in the dielectric value of the capacitivesensor as a result of the presence or movement or absence of the medicalitem(s) relative to the capacitive sensor, and the relative positionand/or change in the relative position of the pair of sensing elementsof the capacitive sensor.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the methodfurther comprises identifying an event based on the gradient or changein gradient of an output signal from the capacitive sensor.
 15. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the sensible characteristic is of thepresence or absence of the RFID tag associated with the medical itemwhen in the proximity of the RFID tag reader.